June 5, 2015 at 4:39 p.m.

Head of the class

Top 2015 grads reflect on high school
Head of the class
Head of the class

As the Rhinelander High School Class of 2015 prepares to don cap and gown on Sunday, the top five seniors took some time this week to reminisce about the last four years and share their plans for the future.
Four of the top five are planning to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the fall while the fifth will matriculate to the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.
Megan Haug is leaning toward biomedical or chemical engineering at UW-Madison.
"Science and math were easier to excel in," she explained.
A white coat may be in Morgan Blaser's future. She will double major in biology and Spanish at UW-Madison, with an eye toward medical school.
Erin Tenderholt, who said she has known since freshmen year that she belongs in the legal field, will major in political science at UW-Madison and later attend law school.
Scott Sedlacek will attend business school at UW-Madison.
Mike Anderson, the outlier of the group, will major in finance at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.
As of press time, it was unknown which one of these high-achieving students is the 2015 valedictorian, as final grades were still being processed.
Regardless of who claims the top spot, this group has distinguished itself in many different ways including mult-tasking. All five were involved in a number of activities thoughout their high school years and said they would advise the new freshman class to do the same.
Haug advised underclassmen to enjoy their years at school by getting involved.
"Attend all the home games and school dances, as well as focusing on academics," Haug said.
"Don't blink because it goes by so fast," said Blaser. "Start strong freshman year, because it counts in the long run. The more Advanced Placement and challenging classes you take the more prepared you'll be for college."
Tenderholt said freshmen should start broad, trying lots of things that first year, then narrow their focus as time goes on. She had a four-year plan going into high school, she said.
"Get involved," Anderson said. "The more involved you get the more you'll enjoy what you're going through; work, school, or college."
"Have fun, it goes by fast," said Sedlacek, who worked year-round at Shopko during his time at RHS. Each of the top five students balanced at least a summer job with their studies and other activities.
Haug was involved in volleyball, softball, and basketball. She was also senior class secretary, as well as a member of student council, Interact, Key Club, math league, FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) and DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America).
Blaser was involved in volleyball, basketball, track, Interact, and many academic clubs including student council, FBLA, DECA, and debate.
Tenderholt participated in tennis, mock trial, FBLA, DECA, and student council.
Anderson was involved in DECA internationally as well as mock trial. In earlier years, he was involved in sports.
Sedlacek participated in baseball and served as treasurer for the National Honor Society and student council, and as president of Interact.
The five all said they feel prepared for college.
Tenderholt said she feels very well prepared for college not only from her studies but from her participation in extracurriculars, particularly mock trial and tennis.
"You learn life lessons and focus on preparation," she said.
Anderson said success is derived from the individual student's ability to work hard, stay focused, and have a driven attitude.
Haug said she feels pretty prepared for college because she took challenging classes.
"I think I'm ready to go to college, RHS did well," Sedlacek added.
Tenderholt said a poster in a classroom really stuck with her, it's message - are you here for knowledge or grades?
"The last two years of high school I really started to understand that, Tenderholt said. "Grades became the result, not the motivator."
A piece of advice her parents gave her stuck with Tenderholt as well. "They said to do what makes you happy, because money will work itself out," she said.
Katie Perttunen may be reached at [email protected].

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