Student of the Week Northwestern Jr./Sr. High School

Grade: 12

Age: 17

Extra-curricular: Women's varsity soccer team, varsity swim team, SADD, Girl Scouts and the school musical

Claim to fame/honors: Second-year member of the varsity soccer team and a member of the National Honor Society

Words you live by: "A ship doesn't sink from the water around it but from the water inside it. Don't let what's around you get you down."

Toughest challenge: Finding a balance between sports, school, clubs, friends and family

Biggest influence: While I feel inspired and influenced by many different people (my parents, grandparents, teachers, etc.), I particularly admire and look up to my great grandmother, Ruthanna "Iggy" Garver.

What's on your bedroom walls: A pencil drawing of the "Group of Bears" monument in NYC. My great uncle drew it for me when I was born, captioning it, "Three bears to watch over Mia." It has always been special to me.

When I'm bored I like to … Either go on a walk/run or bake. I'm the type of person who always likes to be doing something.

Favorite movie: The Princess Bride—I think it's a classic.

Person who would play you in a movie: Anna Kendrick

Favorite TV show: Parks and Recreation

Favorite musical artist: Either Taylor Swift or Dodie Clark

Favorite book: The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants

Favorite home-cooked meal: Anything my dad cooks

Favorite restaurant: Yaffa Grill

Place where you'd love to travel: I'd love to backpack across Europe.

Talent you'd like to have: I'd love to be able to play the violin.

Favorite school subject: American History

Something in the world I'd like to change: I'd like the world to strive to be more environmentally friendly.

Favorite high school moment: My most proud high school moment occurred when I participated in the 2016 Rotary Speech Contest—my first real experience with public speaking. I learned that day that I am capable of doing things I thought I'd be too scared or too shy to do.

Favorite junk food: Definitely ice cream

Best thing about high school: The best thing about my high school experience has been all of the opportunities I've had to try new things. I love to look back and think about all that I've participated in, learned and accomplished over the past four years. I have grown so much as an individual.