Colfax High School Top 10 of the Class of 2018

COLFAX  —  Here are the profiles of the Top 10 seniors in the Colfax High School Class of 2018.

Erika Brantner

Erika is the daughter of Gary and Dena Brantner.

• Top 3 favorite classes: Biology with Mr. Mosey because we always got distracted doing weird things. English class with Mrs. Myers and Mrs. Gibson because they made boring topics fun. Lastly, I enjoyed my calculus class this year because I love math and Mrs. Steinke was always motivating.

• Most memorable event in high school: I think my most memorable moments are all of the assemblies we’ve had for winter carnival and homecoming.

• Activities: National Honor Society (NHS), Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), Science Club, prom committee, Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA). I choose NHS as my favorite because while we have advisors, it is a student led group. We get to make decisions and work on creative new projects.

• Plans for the summer: After graduation, I will be working at McMillan Electric Company and spending time with friends and family.

• Education plans:  UW-LaCrosse for Mathematics. I have always loved math and want to learn more about it so I always knew I wanted to do something with math in the future.

Mackenzie Jensen

Mackenzie is the daughter of Jim and Jolene Jensen.

• Top 3 favorite classes: Medical Terminology — This class helped me learn medical terms that will be helpful to know in my future career. Advanced Biology — I liked learning more about the body and enjoyed going outside for class. College Prep English — I’ve become a better writer in this class and feel well-prepared for college.

• Most memorable event in high school: The most memorable event was the 2017 Dunn-St.Croix cross country conference meet. It was memorable because I received the honor of first team all-conference.

• Activities: Student Council, NHS, FCCLA, FBLA, 4-H, Luther League, basketball, track and cross country. My favorite is cross country because I’ve always loved to run and it has made me become a better teammate and a hard worker.

• Plans for the summer: I plan on saving up money for college by working at Cenex and the Colfax Health and Rehabilitation Center. I also plan on traveling, running and spending time with friends and family.

• Education plans: I’m planning to attend UW-LaCrosse. I’m going to major in Biology and Pre-Physical Therapy. I chose this profession because I tore my ACL/MCL and after attending months of physical therapy, I realized this was the direction I wanted my career to follow.

Leslie Ritenour

Leslie is the daughter of Ryan and Tessa Ritenour.

• Top 3 favorite classes: Art — creative freedom. Choir — I enjoy music and singing. Calculus — I enjoy problem solving.

• Most memorable event in high school: My most memorable events for me are the school musicals/plays. Even today I remember many of the dorky lines I had.

• Activities: FBLA, Science Club, Forensics, NHS, Musicals/plays (Drama Club). My favorites are Forensics and the musicals because I actually get to enjoy speaking with the comfort and support of my friends.

• Plans for the summer: I plan to pick up a better summer job. I also hope to hang out with my friends a lot more before college.

• Education plans: I will be attending the University of Minnesota — Twin Cities. I plan to major in Psychology and minor in Theatre/Fine Arts. Those are things that interest me.

Hailey Durand-Christianson

Hailey Durand-Christianson is the daughter of Craig and Bridget Christianson and Brad and Jeanie Goldsmith.

• Top 3 favorite classes: Advanced Biology, Medical Terminology, and Advanced Chemistry are my top three favorite high school classes. In all of these classes, the material that I have learned will contribute to my studies in college.

• Most memorable event in high school: The most memorable event that happened to me in high school has been getting accepted to college and receiving scholarships. There is nothing like the feeling of having all your hard work paid off.

• Activities: NHS, FFA, FBLA, Science Club, basketball, softball, powerlifting, mentoring elementary students, Letter Club and Spanish Club. Out of all of these activities, I would have to say Powerlifting was my favorite. It showed me that working hard and pushing yourself to achieve your goals leads you to achieving them.

• Plans for the summer: After graduation, I plan on working a lot. Every college student needs money, so I would like to save up as much as I can to help me when I may need it in college. Another thing I would like to do this summer is travel and go to concerts with my friends.

• Education plans: In the fall, I plan on attending the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minnesota. I will be majoring in nursing. I decided to major in nursing for multiple reasons. Currently, I am a Certified Nursing Assistant and I absolutely love my job and the impact I have on patients and their families. Making a difference and saving lives is something that I have aspired to do.

RyAnna Martinson

RyAnna Martinson is the daughter of Travis Martinson and Mandi Brown.

• Top 3 favorite classes: Medical Terminology, Advanced Biology and Advanced Chemistry. I liked these classes because each of them taught me information that is relevant to my major. The information that I learned is stuff that I found interesting to me and not just something that I forgot as soon as the test on each unit was done. It was also nice that I was able to take college transcripted classes, such as Medical Terminology, to get a jump start on my college education.

• Most memorable event in high school: I will always remember being the senior girl representative for winter carnival this year. It meant a lot to me that my class voted for me to represent them during our final winter carnival. Participating in various events all week long and winning Winter Carnival Queen was a lot of fun and it is something that I will always look back on.

• Activities: I was in volleyball, Student Council, FBLA, NHS, mentoring, Science Club, Academics and Leadership Club, Spirit Committee, and Discovering Leadership. While I was active in numerous clubs, volleyball and Student Council were my favorites. Volleyball was a favorite because it was the only sport that I was in during high school. I loved being part of a team and the strong friendships that are formed with teammates. Student Council helped me feel as if I made a difference in our school and community. I enjoyed the opportunity to be an emcee at the homecoming and winter carnival pep rallies this year. Both activities have allowed me to be a leader and have a voice.

• Plans for the summer: This summer I plan to continue working as a Certified Nursing Assistant at Colfax Health and Rehabilitation Center. I am hoping to travel out of the Wisconsin and Minnesota area and go on my first vacation. I also plan to spend as much time as I can with my friends and family before I leave in the fall.

• Education plans: I plan to attend Winona State University to major in nursing. Eventually, I would like to become a Nurse Practitioner and specialize in Labor and Delivery. I have always had an affinity for the medical field, and I am very excited to pursue my interests.

Marcus Reisdorf

Marcus Reisdorf is the son of Cory and Jenifer Reisdorf.

• Top 3 favorite classes: Physics, due to the real-world applications and Mr. Furey’s sense of humor. Calculus, due to the challenge and Mrs. Steinke. Accounting, due to it being business related and a good challenge.

• Most memorable event in high school: The most memorable event was when I shattered my elbow on the tennis courts during noon hour. I will never forget what happened due to the scar and plates inside my elbow.

• Activities: Baseball, NHS, FBLA, track. My favorite was FBLA, just the amount of business knowledge obtained, the various trips, and going to FBLA state (competition).

• Plans for the summer: My biggest plans are working with my father and preparing for college.

• Education plans: I am planning on going to UW-Eau Claire for Pre-Optometry. I decided to pursue that degree when I realized that it is a highly business-related doctorate, and I would enjoy that occupation.

Adam Pretasky

Adam Pretasky is the son of Ted and Anne Pretasky.

• Top 3 favorite classes: Advance Biology, Algebra 3 and College Prep English. These three classes were my favorites for varying reasons. Advanced Biology allowed me to learn about the natural world in a way other schools do not have the opportunity to. Through time spent in the school forests and with Mr. Mosey, I learned things that will help me as an outdoorsman in the future. Algebra 3 is the first and only math class I have enjoyed. Math is not my strong suit, but when taking Algebra 3, Mrs. Seston makes sure that you understand the material. College Prep English is my all-time favorite class. In this class I have the opportunity to express my literary views, while hearing those of others. I have learned more about writing from this class than any other, and I look forward to going to Mrs. Myers’ room every day.

• Most memorable event in high school: My sophomore year, I was part of a state track team that ran well enough to podium at the state meet. Our team came into the race seeded to finish 14th, but finished 10th in qualifiers, barely making finals. In the finals, we ran within two-tenths of a second of the school record time and finished 4th. The feeling of running in front of 15,000 people and not being able to hear yourself think because of the cheering is a feeling I will never forget.

• Activities: NHS, FBLA, Spirit Committee, Spanish Club, football, basketball, track, Student Council. Of all of the things I have participated in throughout high school, NHS has been my favorite. Membership in the National Honor Society is an honor within itself, but the activities of the club bring even more honor. Through NHS, I have logged many community service hours including volunteering at the Special Olympics, an experience I will never forget. I am currently serving as the Colfax President of the National Honor Society.

• Plans for the summer: This summer I plan to work and travel. I will be working at my father’s company, Accent Finishing, where I have been working since I could walk. I hope to spend time with friends before I head off to college, and I hope to fit some travel into my schedule as well.

• Education plans: In the fall, I will be attending the University of Wisconsin Madison. I am incredibly excited to be a Badger! I will be majoring in Business Management and I hope to one day own my own business. Since I was born, my father has owned Accent Finishing, and he has inspired me to be in business for myself.

Rebecca Lee

Rebecca Lee is the daughter of Mike and Stacey Lee.

• Top 3 favorite classes: My favorite classes this year was sociology, psychology and medical terminology. I love theses classes because of how the professors teach. The atmosphere was different and more enjoyable.

• Most memorable event in high school: The most memorable event that happened in high school was being crowned queen at my Junior prom. I found this as a memorable moment because it made me feel honored and is something that I will always remember.

• Activities: In high school I was in volleyball, basketball, softball, FBLA, Science Club, Student Council, NHS, mentoring and powerlifting. I love powerlifting because no matter who you are or what school you go to everyone will still cheer for you.

• Plans for the summer: After graduation I plan on working more hours down at the nursing home in Colfax. Not only am I going to work this summer, but hang out with my friends and family before I leave for college.

• Education plans: I am planning on going to the University of LaCrosse Wisconsin to study Pre-occupational Therapy.

Allison Tuschl

Allison Tuschl is the daughter of Danielle and Jason Tuschl.

• Top 3 favorite classes: Math — I love math. Art — I like to paint and create things. Chemistry — I liked the labs.

• Most memorable event in high school: The fact that Mikeala Liebfried made it to worlds for powerlifting. She went to South Africa. That’s the coolest thing to happen to Colfax.

• Activities: Dance, band, choir and flags. Dance was my favorite because I made many new friends and expressed myself through dance.

• Plans for the summer: I will probably keep my job at Subway or get a second job at my mom’s work.

• Education plans: I plan to attend St. Cloud State University for Mechanical Engineering. I’ve always loved math and building things.

Makayla Mattson

Makayla Mattson is the daughter of Jill and Jason Mattson.

• Top 3 favorite classes: Band, medical terminology, advanced biology. They are all challenging and fun to learn about.

• Most memorable event in high school: Sophomore year volleyball game at Elk Mound. We were down two games and got behind in the last game but came back with the win. I miss that team a lot!

• Activities: Volleyball, basketball, softball, powerlifting, band, FBLA, Student Council, mentoring and NHS.  Volleyball and band would be tied because I loved participating in both and I feel like I learned a ton from both activities.

• Plans for the summer: I am taking an EMT course in June and July and plan on finding an EMT job in either Colfax or Eau Claire for the rest of the summer. I will continue to work at Subway until I get the EMT job. I also perform in the Menomonie, Wis., Ludington Guard Band for many Tuesday nights all summer.

• Education plans: UW-Eau Claire — undecided major but I plan on going into the medical field.