What causes a young person to excel? What internal messages do they feed themself? How do they balance all the activities they are asked to juggle? What goes through their mind?
Each year we feature leading high school seniors in our area. This year, we get to know five of them, up close and personal.
Lorenzo Cerda
The secret to my success:
I don’t really have a secret. It boils down to prioritization, staying focused, determination and hard work.
My goal for the upcoming year:
To give everything I have to being the best student athlete I can be. I want to work hard the entire year and see where it takes me.
Most people don’t know:
I play piano.
Three words that describe me:
Dedicated, motivated, intelligent
My dream job:
To serve my country in the military and find a role in which I can use the talents that I have been blessed with to help others.
My proudest moment:
Being a brother. I have learned so much, been influenced, and been challenged by my younger brother and it has shaped my values and who I am today. I am proud to be in his life and eternally grateful that he is in mine, and I am excited to see him grow.
Fave activities:
Benilde-St. Margaret’s cross country, track and field, swimming, baseball, martial arts, piano, volunteering, and math league.
Pregame ritual:
I usually aim to get about 10 hours of sleep before any meet, make sure I stretch and foam roll the night before, and play some top songs that help me mentally tune in and focus.
The leader I look up to:
I look up to my dad. I believe that he has experienced obstacles and challenges and he understands and embodies the values that I try to emulate in my own life such as mental fortitude, organization, focus, grit and a tenacity to succeed.
Isaiah Hobus
The secret to my success:
Faith, family and hard work.
My goal for the upcoming year:
Make it to state in cross country, serve in church multiple times a month and become a better person.
Most people don’t know:
When I am training for cross country, I run between 30 to 50 miles a week. I love to run.
Three words that describe me:
Friendly, focused, genuine
My dream job:
Pastor
My proudest moment:
In the student-led bible study that my friend and I started, we had more than 70 people in attendance one session. It was amazing to help and impact this many of my peers.
Fave activities:
Maranatha Christian Academy JV and varsity cross country (team captain), running club, JV basketball, soccer, football, National Honor Society president, student council, chapel band drummer, concert band, jazz band, student tutor, Salvation Army volunteer, summer camp counselor, Passion Church small group leader, senior high and youth worship band drummer, co- leader of three student-lead bible studies, student intern for church community service and outreach pastor and community service work for senior citizens and people in need. Lettered in community service with over 300 hours.
Pregame ritual:
Listening to music and praying.
The leaders I look up to:
My former basketball trainer and founder of Hoops and Christ, Chauncee Hollingsworth, pastor of Passion Church in Maple Grove, Jonathan Brozozog.
(From left to right: Taylor Lundquist, Isaiah Hobus, Carter Herman)
Taylor Lundquist
The secret to my success:
Asking other people about themselves and finding the happy in everything.
My goal for the upcoming year:
I would like to qualify for state in cross country and track. I also would like to be the overall female winner of a triathlon.
Most people don’t know:
I love sparkles.
Three words that describe me:
Exuberant, dedicated, Christian
My dream job:
Chiropractor (with an exercise science specialty)
My proudest moment:
My proudest moment isn’t just a moment, rather the cumulative experience of being captain of the cross country, Nordic, and track teams and watching them bond and grow stronger together.
Fave activities:
Heritage Christian Academy track, cross country, Nordic, trap shooting, triathlons, mountain biking, National Honor Society, student life
Pregame ritual:
Team prayer for sure, and we always do warm-up stretches as a team so coming up with new names for the stretches is a favorite.
The leader I look up to
My former cross country coach, Nathan Wentz. He can bring together a group of people and help them grow closer to each other and help them find joy. He also makes each individual person feel special and important.
Carter Herman
The secret to my success:
I’ve never grown complacent in school, robotics or my job. Additionally, I take the initiative to seek out my own opportunities.
My goal for next year:
To provide robotics to students at Parkwood Primary School located in Cape Town, South Africa.
Most people don’t know:
My favorite place in the world is my family’s cabin, where I tube, wakeboard, and spend nights with friends around a campfire.
Three words that describe me:
Ambitious, altruistic, and unconventional
My dream job:
Aerospace engineer. Whether designing rockets for SpaceX or simulating test flights for NASA, I dream of contributing toward the manned missions to Mars.
My proudest moment:
Watching the elementary students that I mentored compete and succeed at their robotics competition. My own achievement is being a 2017 FIRST Robotics Competition Dean’s List finalist.
Fave activities:
Maple Grove Crimson Robotics, DECA, science bowl, National Honor Society, baseball
Premeet ritual:
Robotics is the “sport of the mind”. The night before competitions, I am usually analyzing our opponents’ robots. It enables me to formulate an effective strategy for matches and make solid alliance selections for playoff rounds.
The leader I look up to:
My robotics mentor, Erik Malm. His unconditional love for improving the world through STEM education constantly inspires.
Garmunee Phillips
The secret to my success:
I go anywhere and everywhere for help when I need it.
My goal for the upcoming year:
To leave a mark on my school that has meaning or significance and is uplifting.
Most people don’t know:
I love my alone time. I am very outgoing and love being around people the majority of the time, but sometimes I just need time when I’m alone and plugged into Netflix.
Three words that describe me:
Enthusiastic, prideful and determined
My dream job:
FBI agent or law enforcement or working with children. I sing and act; so, an actor.
Some people think I’m not fit to go into law enforcement, or I’m not tough enough, but I know I can do it.
My proudest moments:
When I got cast as the Lion in The Wizard of Oz my sophomore year, and when I sang the national anthem at my school’s football game.
Fave activities:
Osseo Senior High volunteer service group, WEB leader, Dare To Be Real, vacation bible school leader, youth group, camp leader, student aide, track, mock trial, musicals and plays, chamber choir, student ambassador, speech, student senate (treasurer), volunteer. I also have a job at White Castle.
Pregame ritual:
Whether it’s a game, meet, performance or speech, I say a little prayer, take some deep breaths, and I talk myself up.
The leader I look up to:
My sister Kumba. She’s accomplished and is doing everything society says she couldn’t. I find myself following in her footsteps.
