GCHS Salutatorian: Taylor Drinkman
By Cara L. Dempski
GLENWOOD CITY — The salutatorian for the Glenwood City High School Class of 2017 is Taylor Drinkman.
She is the daughter of Mary Jo and Gary Drinkman, and plans to attend the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities starting in September 2017. Drinkman does not yet know what she will major in, but plans to explore opportunities and different classes during her first few semesters to help her decide.
The graduating senior indicated one event from high school that will likely always stick with her is taking fourth place, and breaking a school record, in the 3200m relay at the state track meet her freshman year. Drinkman was part of a team that included Jennifer Kopacz, Morgan Kadinger and Kaylie Scalze.
“I remember after finishing the race, we all went over to Coach Steffen to get our times, like we did every race,” Drinkman recalled. “Coach Steffen, with tears in his eyes, told us we broke the school record. We all started crying, and it was one of the most incredible feelings to accomplish something of that magnitude with my teammates.”
Drinkman’s favorite courses, and teachers, focused on art and language. She enjoyed drawing and design with Mrs. Jones because she enjoyed it so much it never felt like she was in school. The student noted she does not often have time to explore her creativity and artistic skills, but drawing and design allowed her to do so.
She said it was only the second high school art class she took, but was amazed at how good it felt to sit down and create something entirely her own.
Drinkman said she also enjoyed English with Mr. Popko.
“English class itself is really not all that exciting, but Mr. Popko managed to make students laugh with his quirky jokes and sense of humor,” Drinkman explained.
She also said she was good at writing stories as a child, and felt Popko sensed that. She credits him with turning her knack for writing into strong academic writing skills. Drinkman noted Popko seems to want the best for his students, and will go above and beyond to help them.
Drinkman participated in National Honor Society, DECA, Student Council, Class Officers, School Newspaper, Show Choir, Art Club, National History Club, band, choir, basketball, track and field, and cross country while at Glenwood City High School.
“My favorite activity, by far, was cross country,” she specified. “Mr. Schutz is an amazing coach that genuinely cares about his runners.”
She noted her teammates were one-of-a-kind and every year brought new laughter and memories; she said the sport taught her to be mentally and physically strong.
Drinkman plans to spend the summer enjoying herself and spending time with her family before life gets busy again in the fall. She indicated she has widely varied interests, and that is partially why she is undecided on an academic program for college; her interests include art, music, politics, psychology, Spanish and medicine.
The graduate said she envisioned herself on the same stage as the “big kids” when she was younger. Now that she has accomplished her goal, Drinkman indicated it is humbling to see how far she has come.
