Southwest Metro Prep Elite 2011

5 of the area’s most promising and multi-talented students.

From the issue: August 2011

Photo: Marshall Franklin Long

Kathryn Ravey of Eden Prairie High School.

From saving the environment to studying politics and sports practice to play rehearsal—not to mention keeping up academically—this group of southwest metro teens has what it takes to succeed both in the classroom and in the future.

Kathryn Ravey

School: Eden Prairie High School

Year: Senior

Favorite Food: Cake

Best Southwest Metro-area hangout: Starring Lake Park

Drives: An electric blue Volkswagen beetle complete with spoiler

Kathryn Ravey certainly has a lot to be proud of. She’s been composing her own music and tickling the ivories since age 3, acting since age 5 and involved with the Eden Prairie Players since age 7, and has volunteered at the Como Zoo for the past 5 years. As an experienced traveler (she’s checked Africa, China and much of Europe off of her list, among other destinations), Ravey is also passionate about pursuing international relations and peace and conflict studies in college next year, which will allow her to continue her humanitarian work.

You recently had the opportunity to travel to the Arctic Circle for a week to study polar bears and the challenges they face due to the changing climate. What was that like? It was truly the experience of a lifetime. After that trip, I became an Arctic Ambassador through Polar Bears International, tasked with the responsibility of spreading awareness about conservation and acting to decrease the increasing carbon in our atmosphere. I have given dozens of presentations to classes, at my school, at Como Zoo and other places about my trip and how people can help the bears.

What’s one thing no one knows about you? Most people don’t know that I have been in several independent films. I have played many roles on camera and I love to act in movies as well as on stage. I have also done some voice-over work for educational software.

How do you balance it all? My key to balancing my hectic schedule is to take things one step at a time and not think too far ahead. It can be very stressful, but to see the benefits and experiences of everything I do is very much worth it.