:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/shawmedia/O6QB2GVAQIW2M6BB2NIMZBFR6U.jpg)
Mackenzie Marie Olson, 17, of Rock Falls, is Rock Falls High School’s September Student of the Month. Her parents are Jude and Brian Olson, she has two older brothers, Connor and Colin, and a dog, Shelbie.
Favorite class: Anatomy and physiology with Mindy Porter, by far. Learning about the human body is so interesting and going to the Northern Illinois University cadaver lab was the highlight of my junior year.
Least-favorite class: Calculus. I've never been great at math to begin with, and I have never liked concepts that have only one concrete answer.
Favorite teacher: Lucas Madding, he has taught me a difficult subject – Spanish – in a fun and creative way, as well as influenced my want to minor in Spanish in college – and he might love Harry Potter just as much as I do. I wish other teachers could learn from his teaching style.
School activities in which you participate: I played 4 years of volleyball and basketball, 1 year of softball, and 3 years of track.
I am president of Student Council, and vice president of the class of 2019 as well as National Honor Society. I am a member of the Junior Optimist Club, Spanish Club, Science Club, and Girls Group, and I am a leader with Building Lasting Impressions that Never Die.
Do you have a job? I have worked concessions or the gate every football season at Northern Illinois Youth Tackle Football in Dixon since I was 13.
How would you describe your group of friends? We make the best out of the worst and most boring situations because we're obnoxious, outgoing, and analytic.
What will you do after high school? I have not decided which college to attend; however, I plan to play volleyball and study biology/chemistry with a minor in Spanish.
I do know I will definitely be leaving Rock Falls (sorry, Mom and Dad).
What is something that you learned in high school that you think you'll never use? Finding the limit of a function as X approaches some number.
What kind of music are you listening to? Anything and everything country, but I'll listen to anything.
What's one thing in your life you can't do without? My pink pillow I've had since I was a baby. I sleep with it every night, because I don't sleep as well when I can't.
What is your advice for surviving high school? Never be afraid to ask questions and get involved in any way possible. Whether it's a sport or a club, there's always something for everyone.
If you could change one thing about your school, what would it be? I would put air conditioning in the gym.
What scares you? I'm terrified of anything that has to do with scary movies/haunted houses. I over-think things that are fake and make them seem so real.
If you could try any job for the day, what would it be? I would be a veterinarian who visits third-world countries to help sick animals.
If you could go anywhere in the world for free, where would it be? I would visit cities in Europe like Venice, Paris, and Rome, because I've always been fascinated with the breathtaking architecture (but I also want to try the pizza).
What is a good book you have read recently? "Love Medicine" by Louise Erdrich.
Who is your hero/role model? My role models are my parents, because of how hard they work to love and support my brothers and me. I hope to be able to do that for my own family one day.
What do you think your life will be like 10 years from now? Hopefully, I'll be finishing medical school and starting a residency or fellowship with a hospital. By that time I'm hoping to start a family, too.
Is there anything else you want people to know about you? My two front teeth are fake because I knocked the originals out while swimming in the dark in seventh grade.
What is your life's philosophy? "It will feel better when it quits hurting" – my dad.
Shout out to: My parents, for always pushing me and helping me to do the best in everything I do, and to the rest of my family, friends, and Brenden for supporting me along the way.