Josie Nelson

All through high school, I have been enrolled in as many Pre-AP and AP courses as possible. At the beginning of my junior year, I was given the opportunity to start my college education through the Post Secondary Enrollment Option available at Riverland Community College. I haven’t taken any classes at the college, but I have been involved in the concurrent classes offered at the high school.

Activities (music, sports, community):

At Austin High School, I am involved in Symphony Orchestra, DECA, Link Crew, basketball and soccer. I do some volunteer work through the activities I participate in. Each year, my soccer team does the Day of Caring, which is through the United Way. For basketball a shot clinic is held for the younger players and the high school team, and the coaches work with them and teach them new games and help improve their knowledge about the game. This year for DECA we carved pumpkins for the local businesses for Fall Fest. My mom’s friend has a business downtown that I help with for Fall Fest and Christmas in the City. She had activities for the children to do such as making arts and crafts and receiving tattoos that have to do with Halloween.

Potential College Plans:

I plan on attending a four-year college or university during the fall, but I haven’t decided where I will be attending. I am currently accepted to the University of Minnesota Mankato, Winona State University and Bemidji State University. I am pretty confident that I will be attending one of these three schools in the fall of 2015.

A person who has had a positive impact in your academic or school life:

One person who has significantly impacted my academic experience is Phil Burkhart. He was my orchestra teacher during seventh and eighth grade. I have learned a lot from him over the years, not only about music, but also about life. He pushed me to become a better viola player and a better person in general. He encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone and audition for higher orchestras, and to aim for higher goals because he knew with a bit of hard work, I would be able to achieve them. I aspire to be like him and have an impact in someone’s life like he has mine.

Plans for the future:

I am not completely sure about what my plans for the future are, but I do plan on attending a four-year university in the fall and pursuing a degree in nursing. I like to help people and I like science so I feel nursing encompasses both things.