Olivia Leuer and Kayla Byram  were invited to lunch with the Austin Rotary Club. They were selected for being senior students who excel in academics, leadership and/or activities.

 

Olivia Leuer

Hobbies/activities: Working out, swimming, biking, spending time with my family and friends, play oboe in the band and orchestra, National Honors Society, Figure Skating and LINK Crew.

Awards/recognitions: Swim and dive captain, big 9 all conference, superior oboe solo rating.

Thoughts on educational experience: My educational experience has definitely had its ups and downs, but I wouldn’t have been successful without the help of many of my awesome teachers and my encouraging friends and family who have taught me that hard work and determination pays off, and I will take that with me wherever life takes me after high school.

Plans for the future: Attend the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and major in physical therapy.

Rotary experience: I’m honored to have had the experience to meet so many new people and learn so many great things about our community. I would like to say thank you to everyone for being so welcoming and friendly.

Kayla Byram

Activities/hobbies: National Honors Society, president of AHS Drama Club, secretary of the St. Olaf Foundation Board, stage manager at Riverland Community Theatre, reading, writing, listening to music and watching Netflix.

Awards/recognitions: ACCESS Scholarship Winner in eighth grade, Presidential Award of Excellence, Rotary Student for the month of May.

Thoughts on educational experience: I’ve been taking higher classes since elementary school and because of this I’ve struggled and worked for what I wanted and I think this has instilled a great work ethic not only for college but for my future career as well.

Plans for the future: I plan to attend Minnesota State University, Mankato for a Bachelor of Arts, emphasis on Theatre and Acting. Eventually, I’d like to get into the Bachelor of Fine Arts program and use the BFA degree to pursue a career in theatre.

Rotary experience: It was great to have my dad, Craig Byram, there to show me the ropes and introduce me to people. The food was great and the atmosphere was inviting. I enjoyed the singing at the presentations and I’m excited to have an opportunity to go back.