Each month the Austin Rotary, in conjunction with Austin Public Schools, selects two students who excel in academics, leadership, and/or activities for Student of the Month recognition. For October, Lilly Nystel and Emily Sayles were recognized.

Sayles is involved in numerous activities at Austin High School, including the tennis and dance teams as well as National Honor Society, DECA, and Link Crew.  Staying highly involved is a priority for her because “whatever students put into their educational experience is what they get out of it,” she said.  A senior, Emily’s future plans include attending the University of Minnesota for industrial and systems engineering.

Nystel is a Presidential Academic Achievement Award winner who has been involved in many Austin High School activities, including DECA, Go Green Club, Youth Leadership and Student Council. Her education at Austin has been extremely valuable, with a wide array of classes that both “pose a challenge and are interesting,” she said.

Nystel’s  future plans include majoring in microbiology with an eye toward becoming an epidemiologist for the Centers for Disease Control.