Ben Sather
There’s a lot to be proud of in this community, but, we must admit, our pride shoots straight to the top when it comes to learning about how so many local high schoolers are achieving their goals and dreams while preparing for their future.
Each year, area high schools nominate students to be featured in our annual Prep Elite feature. This year, we asked schools, “Who are the givers? Who are the students, who will graduate from your academic community having left a positive impact?”
We chose four of those nominated students to appear in this issue. Was there a variety of students put forward? Yes. Was it difficult to narrow down the list to just four? Absolutely.
Congratulations to this year’s Prep Elite students.
Ben Sather: Eden Prairie High School
Academics: 3.6 GPA
Extracurricular: Track (ranked fourth in the state as pole vaulter); Football (2017 state champions and 2018 state runners up); DECA; Friends Forever (club dedicated to special needs classmates); and Connect 9
Service: Community outreach in Lima, Peru; Grace Church; Super Fest for the Matthew Foundation; 363 Days; Served food and provided clothing to those in need
“Ben is always willing to think about others in extraordinary ways. In leadership, Ben displays both leading by example along with being the vocal leader in empowering groups to work cohesively. Ben understands that, by providing value to others, the whole group will be stronger. He cares about others as evidenced by his service and always asks, ‘What can I do to help?’” -Andrew Rotschafer, EPHS activities coordinator and football coach
SWM: Looking back, what do you wish you could have told your freshman self?
… take advantage of the time you have by getting involved in more groups/activities, and work hard in your classes and sports. This will fuel your overall success.
What is the most important way in which you gave back to your high school or community?
… [By] volunteering at our local church and food shelves. I was also a coach for a special needs flag football team, sponsored by the Super Bowl Committee, which gave me a great opportunity to provide a fun experience that was new to many. Finally, I have volunteered as a part of the Eden Prairie Football team, which involves service at senior centers and youth football events and leadership to those next up in the program.
What did you learn from that experience?
Among all the things I learned from these experiences, the two most influential were learning to be selfless, focusing on others rather than myself and learning the impact of my choices …
What are your post high school plans?
I hope to pursue a business education at the University of Minnesota and enlist in the ROTC program. I have a dream of owning my own business.
Give us three words to describe yourself.
Disciplined, ambitious and sociable
Grace Lynch: Chanhassen High School
Academics: 4.0 GPA; National Honor Society
Extracurricular: Debate; Girl Up (co-launched the group); Model UN; Student Ambassador; Health Occupation Students of America; Superintendent Advisory; and PRIDE Committee
Service: Girl UP, organized monthly volunteer/awareness activities
“Grace Lynch is simply a notch above the rest. She is dedicated, hard-working and motivated beyond measure. Grace takes initiative to plan and execute projects that benefits others, such as our 8th grade tours that she leads. Grace has the unique ability to generate her new and unique ideas while honoring the work of others. Grace is an awesome addition to the Storm family.” – Erin Indrelie Swoboda, assistant principal
SWM: Looking back, what do you wish you could have told your freshman self?
… before school started my freshman year, I had been offered a role in a performance for a local theater company. I turned down the role out of fear that I wouldn’t have the time to commit and wanting to make sure my priorities were in line. Looking back, I wish I had recognized the value in pursuing my interests, as well as my academics. The academic parts of school can really only get me so far, and I wish I had come to that realization earlier.
What is the most important way in which you gave back to your high school or community?
… [It’s] always being available for anyone who needs help. I’ve helped coach people in my activities and tutored both officially and unofficially all through high school. In my classes, I’m always willing to give feedback, review notes or help people study. Most importantly, I listen and provide support whenever I know others are struggling … I’ve found the impact I can have on people extremely rewarding and have seen the community around me grow stronger because of it.
What did you learn from that experience?
When I’m open to other people’s experiences without predispositions, I learn a lot more about their lives and the challenges they face … It’s been incredibly important to me on a personal level to have the ability to make people feel recognized and appreciated …
What are your post high school plans?
… I want to study cellular biology and genetics … After college, I’m planning to join the Peace Corps and spend a year volunteering overseas and getting hands-on experience with medicine.
Give us three words to describe yourself.
Dedicated, supportive and creative
Kalie Dahl: Holy Family Catholic High School
Academics: Honor Society (cumulative GPA: 4.2); HOBY Leadership Seminar attendee; HFCHS Theology Award winner (9th grade)
Extra-curricular: Volleyball; Hearts on Fire; Pro-Life Club; Health Club; Knowledge Bowl; Math League; Voices of Fire Jazz group; Chorale – chorus (9th), women’s chorus (10th), chorale (11th); Music Ministry; Theatre; and Student Ambassador
Service: Lasallian Youth Service Club; Night to Fight Homelessness; Summerwood Retirement; Raised money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital; Guardian Angels Church and School; Knights of Columbus pancake breakfasts and fish fries
Employment: Lifeguard and swim instructor at the Chaska Community Center
“[Kalie} is a hardworking student with a positive attitude in class. She is friendly and includes others. She is an active member of Hearts on Fire Club. For her service project for CST, she volunteered at Summerwood. I see her as someone who is excited to leave a positive impact on HF.”– Lynnae Bosch, Campus Minister/Hearts on Fire Club advisor
SWM: Looking back, what do you wish you could have told your freshman self?
… go into high school with an open, organized and diligent mind. Going into something with a positive attitude and saying ‘yes’ to new activities, such as a sport, club or even a friend, will lead to many new opportunities and friends that would never have been possible before. It is very important to not hold back from doing something just because it may not be ‘cool’ …
What is the most important way in which you gave back to your high school or community?
I love to volunteer and lead others to help do good in our school, church and local community … Last summer, I attended a leadership seminar and pledged to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital … Also, I am a member on a retreat planning team at my parish, and we just held a weekend retreat for 9th and 10th grade students preparing for Confirmation.
What did you learn from that experience?
… when one spends time and makes the effort to have a positive influence on others, it makes you learn more about your own strengths and what you are passionate about. Also, not only will you grow by doing one good thing for another, it creates a ripple effect of helping others.
What are your post high school plans?
… I plan on getting a hospitality management degree with a minor in Spanish.
Give us three words to describe yourself.
Diligent, compassionate and positive
Julia McIntosh: Southwest Christian High School
Academics: Cumulative GPA 4.257, A Honor Roll for five consecutive semesters
Extracurricular: Tennis captain, admissions ambassador, Hospitality Committee chair, Student Council member, Marketing teacher’s assistant and Student Body President (12th grade)
Service: Our family hosts kids in need for short term stays, so I often get to spend time serving little ones in our home. I have loved having this opportunity to bless kids by helping care for them, playing with them and teaching them new things …
“Julia makes our staff/faculty proud—most importantly [because] of who she is as a young woman and, secondly, of what she does for the school. Julia is one of the most friendly, involved faces on campus and does an incredible job engaging our student body in community. She not only serves a lot, but she serves well. Julia has exceeded many expectations of being a student leader on campus, and we are so excited to see her grow into an even larger role in her final year at Southwest Christian. She juggles her responsibilities well and seeks to be innovative in her leadership.” -Emily Robertson, marketing director
SWM: Looking back, what do you wish you could have told your freshman self?
… your mistakes do not define you. One of the greatest challenges in life is taking mistakes and using them as an opportunity to grow. Perfectionism leaves no room for growth, but mistakes pave the path for learning. More likely than not, your mistakes teach you more than all of your successes.
What is the most important way in which you gave back to your high school or community?
Giving back to my high school has been one of the greatest blessings as a student. I really enjoyed serving as the Hospitality Committee Chair, where I had the privilege of leading and serving alongside our committee members to organize events that help unite our students together and create a sense of belonging at Southwest Christian.
What did you learn from that experience?
… I have learned that serving others often reaps more rewards than being served. Watching students feel loved and cared about made all the hard work and time worth it. This experience helped grow my gratitude for my fellow peers and the community of Southwest Christian. Furthermore, this position gave me the opportunity to be guided by great mentors and teachers, for which I am so grateful.
What are your post high school plans?
I plan on attending college to study business and marketing … I would love to be able to bless others through my work and share what I’ve been given throughout my life.
Give us three words to describe yourself.
Committed, motivated and dependable
