Aleesha Anderson and Ryan Kempen were invited to lunch with the Austin Rotary Club. They were selected for being senior students who excel in academics, leadership and/or activities.

Ryan Kempen

Activities and hobbies: My activities include varsity soccer and golf, volunteering through the National Honors Society, sports, and spending time with family and friends.

Awards/recognitions:

—Hormel Honor Roll Luncheon attendee for freshman, sophomore, and junior years of high school

—American Legion Boys Stater 2015

—National Honors Society member

—Spotlight on Scholarship award winner for fall and spring in 2013, 2014, and 2015

—All Conference Honorable Mention for soccer in 2013 and 2014

—3.9 GPA or Higher Academic Award for 2014-2015 school year

Thoughts on your educational experience so far: So far I have had a great educational experience at Austin. My classmates are fun to be around, making classes that I have little interest in much better. All the teachers I have had are great and make learning much more enjoyable, and have helped me have academic success thus far.

Plans for the future: My plans for the future are to attend a four-year university to obtain a degree in biology. My ultimate goal is to get accepted into medical school and become an orthopedic surgeon. I haven’t decided on a college yet, but my options are the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Iowa State University, University of Chicago, and University of Minnesota-Duluth.

Thoughts on the Rotary: I have really enjoyed my time with the Rotary. It was a great experience meeting members of the Rotary, who seek to improve not only our community, but the world. Being at the meetings gave me insight into a great organization that is greatly benefiting society. I give a big thank you to the Rotary for giving me the opportunity to attend their meetings.

Aleesha Anderson

Activities/hobbies: I participate in many of the different band activities. I am in the Wind Ensemble, Jazz One and participate in the pep band. l also am involved in the school’s Link Crew, Math League and National Honor Society. Outside of school, I enjoy volunteering at the Mower County Humane Society. I am also actively involved in my church and youth group.

Awards/recognitions:

—2015 Norman Borlaug Science Achievement Award

—Girl State Representative 2015

—Academic Award

Thoughts on your educational experience so far: l feel that Austin High School has provided a great education. It offers many different levels in math and science classes. Therefore, I was able to take classes that challenged and prepared me for the future. I also had many teachers that loved the subject they taught, and that energy flowed through to what they were teaching. This inspired me to enjoy the class and learn more of the information.

Plans for the future: I plan to attend South Dakota State University in Brookings, South Dakota, and pursue a degree in Pharmacy.

Thoughts about your experience with the Rotary club: I am very thankful to receive this honor. l enjoyed learning about this organization in our community, their goals and how their meetings are organized. I also enjoyed listening to the different speakers and different events that happen in our community.