A student for the world

Nadolski sees future in fostering literacy in other cultures

By Jennifer Eisenbart

Staff writer

For recent Burlington High School graduate Lauren Nadolski, school was never just about books and classrooms and homework.

“I always considered my education outside of the school system more important than what I learned in school,” said Lauren, the daughter of Ed and Jacqueline Nadolski.

When her father took a mission trip to Uganda in 2006, Nadolski realized just what was available to her – and how lucky she was.

Nadolski chose to be involved wherever and whenever she could in high school. Whether it was Key Club – where she served as a lieutenant governor for the Wisconsin and Upper Michigan district – track and field, cross country, National Honor Society president, yearbook staff, Editor in Chief of the “BHS Crier,” she found places to be involved and excel.

She also represented the school at Badger Girls State, was student representative to the Burlington City Council and logged more than 700 hours of community service.

Of course, Nadolski also succeeded in the classroom, holding a 4.18 grade-point average and being named a recipient of the Herb Kohl Excellence Scholarship in competition with students throughout the state.

For all that – and a little more – Nadolski is the Burlington High School Outstanding Senior for 2012 as selected by the staff of the Burlington Standard Press (see editor’s note following story).

Burlington will always be home for Nadolski. When her family first moved here in 2000, she didn’t love it, but now she does.

“I love the small town feel,” she explained.

But Nadolski has always seemed to be looking for more. It seems no surprise that she dabbled in writing in grade school, finding an outlet for her creativity.

When she reached eighth grade, though, her English teacher, Kurt Rummler, managed to get Nadolski to realize she could really write.

“I didn’t really think I had a talent until his class,” Nadolski said.

Now, of course, Nadolski’s talent is fully developed. She recently won the O’Neill Family Scholarship – worth $5,000 – for a creative prose piece she wrote called, “How We Begin to Remember.”

“I wrote a story about a young boy who grew up as a child solder in Uganda, and the choices he had to make when he came to America,” Nadolski said. “Kind of like culture shock.”

Her plans for the future tie into the story. She plans on attending Southeastern University in Lakeland, Fla., where she will major in English and Intercultural Studies.

Her goal is to become a teacher in a foreign country.

“I’m really interested in culture, and I think I’m very aware of all the blessings we have in the United States,” she explained. “Part of me is interested in spreading literacy and giving people the opportunity to learn who wouldn’t ordinarily have it.”

So Nadolski’s education will take her away from home – and her future perhaps far from Burlington.

But maybe it’s time.

“I think I’ll always have roots here,” she explained. “But I’m ready to branch out a little bit.”

Meet the other nominees

Here are capsules on the other three candidates for the Standard Press Outstanding Senior Award, who were nominated by the staff at Burlington High School.

Kasey Cragg

The daughter of Jeff Cragg and Susanne Lane, will head to the University of Wisconsin-Madison on scholarship this fall to major in international studies with an emphasis on cultures in an age of globalization.

In addition to being the BHS Class of 2012 Salutatorian, Cragg was also active outside of the classroom. A strong singer and actress, she was involved in choir, band and theater, including a state award-winning one-act play her junior year and playing Puck in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” last year.

She was also part of the student committee that helped choose the new BHS principal Eric Burling as well as a member of show choir, a capella choir, the pep band “Orange Crush” and National Honor Society.

Neal Miller

Miller, the son of Chris and Laurie Miller, was the valedictorian for the BHS Class of 2012.

While Miller was a standout student, he was also a two-sport leader at BHS. As a senior, he was a Wisconsin Football Coaches Association All-Area selection as a lineman, and a first-team All-Southern Lakes Conference, All-Area and All-Racine County pick as a junior and senior, as well as team captain.

Miller was also a critical part of the BHS wrestling program, which earned its first-ever team berth in the state tournament this March.

In addition to being a member of NHS, Miller also participated in the Driven leadership program, student government and was homecoming king in 2011.

In the community, he participated in 4-H, Lifeteen, Spiders football as a volunteer, and in his parish – St. Charles.

He will attend the University of Wisconsin-Stout to major in construction management and play football.

Casey Roberts

Roberts, the daughter of Tracy and Dana Roberts, will head to St. Louis University to study investigative and medical sciences. She hopes to become an ophthalmologist.

A four-year volleyball player at BHS, she helped her team to a WIAA Division 1 state title her senior season. She also played softball for two years.

Roberts was involved with the Driven leadership program at BHS for three years, as well as a member of NHS as a junior and a senior.

She also participated in forensics, diversity club, Partners2, Badger Girls State and the prom committee.

Although Roberts fulfilled most of her community service hours as a volunteer volleyball coach, she also participated in a dental mission trip to the Dominican Republic as a junior.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Lauren Nadolski is the daughter of Standard Press Editor Ed Nadolski, who recused himself from the selection process once it was learned his daughter was among the students nominated for the award by teachers at BHS.