Erin Anderson is the Noon Kiwanis student of the month. Erin is a senior at Austin High School:

My name is Erin Anderson and I have always been an average student. I was never really the honors or AP type of student. The first advanced class I took was a course provided by Riverland Community College at the high school during my junior year. To be honest I struggled at first, it was so much harder than I thought I would be, knowing I had passed very well in a normal class. This taught me to try my hardest in every situation no matter what. And it has gotten me to where I am today.

I have been involved in many things for school such as Choralaires, tennis, concert choir, Ping-pong Club, Austinaires, Link Crew, FCA member, spring plays, Math League, fall musicals, and symphony orchestra. Outside of school I am, or have been involved in youth group, youth band, church choir, and children’s ministry. I have a part time job as well as a large family whom I love spending my time with.

My potential college plans are to go to a four-year college, preferably a small private school. Right now my top choice is Crown College in St. Bonifacius, Minnesota. If things don’t line up for me to go there I am thinking about the community college right here in Austin. Riverland Community College offers a four-year program for what I would like to go into, which would allow me to stay close to home and my family as well as saving some money for later in life. My plans for the future are to pursue elementary education, because I love working with children, they are so full of energy and that makes me very happy. One other reason I would like to pursue this career is to ensure to kids that school can be positive and fun. To start kids off enjoying school and continuing through with good work ethics and positive attitudes in their lives, even when times get tough.

One person who has truly had a positive impact on my life has been my school counselor Mrs. Lynn Keenan. She has been my counselor since ninth grade and has encouraged me throughout my whole high school career even when times were very difficult. She pushes me to be the best I can be even if it means not being the best in my class; as long as I am working my hardest than that is the best I can be. She is an amazing person, and I would not be the student or person I am today without her. She has helped me out of dark places and filled me with so much joy.