“The dedication and work ethic [Lauren] puts in to each and every activity she is involved in is impressive and commendable,” Assistant Band Director Jessica Rensberger said.  ”I frequently forget that she is a senior in High School; she is mature well beyond her years.”

One of Lauren’s key focuses beyond schoolwork is music.  She plays, among other things, harp, bassoon, and mellophone, and she has dedicated much of her time during the summer to leading the marching band as Drum Major, a responsibility that very few people are cut out for.  Being Drum Major requires a great passion for music, and a great deal of dedication to the band, and under Lauren’s leadership, the band has had two very successful seasons.

Between summer practices and before every weekend show, Lauren would send out emails to everybody in band reminding them of their responsibilities to practice and to remind them of schedule changes, report times, etc.

She stands out as a leader in the band, even after the marching season.  Very often when both Band Director Tom Cook and Ms. Rensberger were out and there was a sub, Lauren would take over and conduct the band from the start of warm-ups to the end of class.

“Her accomplishments as a musician are particularly outstanding, students like her do not walk through a band director’s door often!” Rensberger said.  With Lauren graduating, it will be difficult to find someone with her talent and dedication to fill her shoes.

“Despite all of the time dedicated to her practicing and her studies, Lauren makes the time to participate in youth activities at her church.  She travels on mission trips and uses her musical talents to enhance the worship services,” Fort Atkinson Middle School English Teacher Martha Firari said.

Even with all of these things on her plate, Lauren manages to find time for friends, like Firari’s daughter Grace.

“On a personal level, I’m glad that Lauren is a part of [Grace's] circle of friends.  She’s such an enjoyable guest because of her friendly demeanor,” Firari said.

Regardless of what she is doing, Lauren is able to excel and balance personal life with school life.  Everything comes first and nothing comes second.  She is deeply involved in music and the community, yet she is in rigorous courses and manages to keep up with her own work and also does her best to help others understand.  “Lauren is the consummate student,” English Teacher Mike Hall said.  “She is conscientious and compassionate and has left an indelible mark here at FHS.”

Lauren’s mark in the music department has been one of great passion, dedication, and sacrifice.  She gave up her time, trekking almost daily through the infamous “Swamp Ookie-Pookie” (the flooded practice field behind the school), subjecting herself to the full power of Dr. Beat, standing tall and proud through sweltering days and freezing nights to lead a band of rag-tag soldiers whose only commonality was music to be the best that they could be.  “She will be missed at Fort Atkinson, but I am looking forward to hearing of her accomplishments in Arizona – they are lucky to have her!” Rensberger said.

“Marissa is and will always be my best friend! She is the happiest, most energetic person you will ever meet in your life. She brightens up my day whenever i see her, and she’s that type of person that will laugh at a stupid joke that’s not funny. She was an awesome poms captain and I’m glad I got to be on it all 4 years with her and became best friends,” Senior Jenna Allard said.

Dhillon is a hard working student, a loyal friend, and a caring family member. She balances school and friends with amazing precision.

“She is always kind, always polite. Other students like Ashna. I can’t imagine that she is ever rude to anyone. She treats all others with respect.” Math Teacher Lynn Dowgwillo said.

Other students truly do like Ashna. Every person interviewed remarked that she is always happy, willing to help, and a great friend.

“[What makes her unique is] her willingness to work hard despite being set back or things being difficult at times,” Junior and brother Arjun Dhillon said.

Dhillon challenges herself on many levels. Involvements such as State Solo and Ensemble, tennis, Environmental Club, Big Buddy, Student Senate, International Club, and National Honor Society keep her busy. She has also taken and succeeded in many honors and AP courses.

“Personally, what stands out for me is how thoughtful she is about saying thanks for help,” said AP Stats teacher Mrs. Dowgwillo.

The studying doesn’t stop when she walks out the school doors. At home, Dhillon spends a great deal of time studying to make sure she does well in each class.

“She studies a lot around the house, but whenever we are interacting, she’s pretty talkative,” Arjun said.

At home, Ashna has studying down to a science. It is seen through her schoolwork that her methods are effective.

“She has to sit in a specific chair when she studies,” Arjun said.

Dhillon is also involved in many music oriented groups. She has played in the orchestra since fourth grade. She has been in the Chamber Orchestra all four years of high school. Dhillon was also a guest performer on sitar for the Orchestra Dessert Concert in 2010.

The Dhillon family takes many vacations to India to visit family and friends. Ashna often loves to share the culture to friends back home.

“My favorite memory has to be Ashna attempting to teach us how to dance Bangra and watching 5 hour long Bollywood movies, with subtitles.” Ellen Ringle said.

Next year, she plans to attend the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater to major in Biology.

“Emilie Bakken possesses all the traits of an outstanding student. She works tirelessly to do her best work and to improve herself, she displays a tenacious hunger to learn, and she sincerely cares for those around her,” English Teacher Mike Hall said.
Bakken is graduating as a 2 sport athlete, by playing volleyball and softball. In volleyball, she was predominantly an outside hitter, and softball, the starting pitcher all four years. She has earned six Varsity Athletic Letters overall, 3 in volleyball and 3 in softball, and is expecting her seventh this softball season. In volleyball, she received Second Team All-conference as a Senior. In softball, she received Second Team All-conference as a Freshman and a Junior, and First Team All-conference as a Sophomore. She was also the Most Valuable Player in softball as a Freshman, Sophomore and Junior. Emilie is expecting more honors this softball season.

Bakken’s personality is contagious in school and in her variety of activities.

“Emilie certainly has enviable academic gifts, but her ability to genuinely make others around her smile transcends any transcript or test score,” Hall said.

Emilie will attend UW-Madison in the Fall, majoring in Medical microbiology and immunology, in hopes of becoming an allergist. Long time friend and teammate Cassidy Lyons will be her rommate.

Although the team has met with success in the past, Coach Jane Steiner hopes this change will positively affect the team not only this season, but in years to come as well.

“Success and fun feed off each other, and this year I have 18 new students who’ve never done this before. For a long time, we could only compete in the small team category. We aren’t ‘there’ yet (a full team is 25), but I bet next year we will be,” Steiner said.

While this sudden boost in numbers may seem surprising, there is a plausible explanation. Juniors Becky McHenry and Arjun Dhillon, the team’s two returning members, made a point this year to get the word out about forensics.

“Arjun and I went in and talked to about 80 percent of the English classes because we found that a lot of students didn’t know what forensics was. Once they did, a lot of people realized that it would be a good extracurricular for them to get involved in,” McHenry said.

As a result of their efforts, more people decided to check out the early meetings than in the past.  Many of those who did decide to join invited friends to join too, building the team up even more.

“With increased participant numbers, we could quite possibly become a truly competitive program. A greater number of participants also serves to a facilitate a culture in which Forensics is appreciated and respected at FAHS itself, a fact which is likely to result in further successes for the program in the future,”   Dhillon said.

Forensics gives students the chance to showcase their public-speaking and performing abilities in a variety of different ways.  With categories ranging from prose interpretation to extemporaneous speech, forensics offers something for anyone who is theatrically inclined or enjoys public speaking.

“I love performing. It’s fun to compare yourself to other people’s skill levels in competition, and when you get the scoring sheet back and find out that you were number 1 in your room, it’s a satisfying feeling,” McHenry said.

In addition to the many new members, Laura Rodgers, a graduate of FAHS, is joining the program as an assistant coach due so that every member could have the chance for individual coaching. Rodgers, who competed on the team for all four of her high school years, is looking forward to being a part of the program in a new way.

“It is a little early to know what I like about coaching forensics but I do like working with young people because they have a lot of energy. I like meeting the students and finding out what they are passionate about. One thing I hope I will like about coaching is that because forensics is an extracurricular activity, I hope the students on the team will be motivated to practice and improve,” Coach Laura Rodgers said.

Not only is forensics an extracurricular to get involved in, but those involved believe it can also have a long-lasting positive impact on students’ lives.

“There is a real connection between forensics and being accepted into Ivy League schools. Forensics builds confidence and poise. It’s a good alternative for people who may not be athletically or musically inclined, or who just want to try something different,” Steiner said.

With more members, a new coach, and the season just beginning, students on the team can have a positive outlook for the coming months.

Prospective art students have to have a portfolio with photos, sketches and/or their best and most recent work of what they want to major in. The requirements differ for every college. Some colleges, for an example – Cornish College of Arts in Seattle, Washington, demand ten pieces.   Five observational pieces, which is a landscape or still life, and another five in a related, single set.

Many believe that talent is a huge part of getting into a fine arts college but that is not true. While grades may not seem important for someone applying to a place where mostly art programs and classes are taught, they are very important.

“Talent is NOT the major factor.  Work ethic, habit and self-expression while astute thinking and academic prowess is the major factor.  Anyone can learn how to draw, not everyone can think for themselves by not following what’s popular or normal. I make sure students are great at academic courses and it is obvious by way of their conceptual development and research that goes into thematic bodies of work (portfolios)” School of the Arts Institute of Chicago Director of Undergraduate Admissions Carolina Wheat said.

There are several different outlets in which potential students can get help with their portfolios. One of the easiest to get a hold of is any art teacher at the high school. They have the experience and most likely know the student and their artwork best other than the student themselves.

“If there is anyone interested Mr. Hustedt would be more than happy to help students with choosing pieces that represent their skills,” Congdon said.

Talking to an admissions counselor is also important. The primary job for most admission counselors is to speak with students that may attend their school to help incoming seniors to successfully apply to the college.

Even the supposed “sad lyrics” lose a lot of their impact when they are drowned out by the endlessly upbeat punches of the keyboard that eminate from every song on the album. If Young is trying to get a point across with his songs I sure hope it was a message involving sunshine, rainbows, and unicorns, if not it is definitely not coming across.

My suggestion is that you save nine dollars and just download the single “Fireflies” off iTunes for $1.29.

This one hit wonder album isn’t worth the money.

I suggest Adam Young change it up a bit.

He should put down the keyboard for a few songs, maybe add in a ballad here and there and create a jam packed album that will be enjoyable to listen to all the way through. Keep the fans guessing and always wanting more, don’t just give them the same song over and over again with a different title.