Senior Spotlight: Lexi Brown, The German Wiz!

Meet RHS Senior, Lexi Brown who has positioned herself to be ahead of the game. Lexi is taking advantage of the Start College Now program offered by RHS where upperclassmen take college courses through Wisconsin Technical Colleges.

With this opportunity, Lexi has made her plan for her future to attend Moraine Park Technical College to obtain her associate's degree in nursing. She explained that she is thankful for the Start College Now program which gave her a head start on her education. Lexi plans on becoming a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, she knew she wanted to follow this path due to her love for kids and helping others.

Lexi's Senior Portrait

Mr. Brad Roost, a Science teacher here at RHS, shared some comments about Lexi and her time in his classes:

“Lexi Brown is one of those students who I always found to be respectful, outgoing, and attentive in class. It's a combination that made her a welcome member of my classroom.  I had the privilege of having Lexi in both my Physical Science and Biology classes. It always felt she had a clear vision of what she wanted out of life. Recently completing her CNA license, Lexi is paving the way toward her goal of becoming a pediatric nurse practitioner. Her aspiration to make a difference in the lives of others, coupled with her compassionate nature, makes her a standout individual. I am confident that she will carry her passion for learning and dedication to community service into her future endeavors with the same grace and determination that she has exhibited throughout her time here.”

Lexi noted that she considers managing her busy schedule of attending both high school and college-level classes at the same time as well as having multiple jobs to be one of her biggest accomplishments.

Liani, Lexi, and McKenzie at Junior Prom

Lexi shared that the support of her friends, loved ones, and RHS staff members helped her to stay on track with her goals this year. Her favorite memories are of time spent with friends. She knows that high school can be tough but she built her support system so she can have people to rely on and help her get through everything. Lexi loves going to all the dances and football games, but what sticks out the most is Homecoming week with all the activities and overall positive atmosphere. 

Mrs. Rachel Stindt, RHS Chemistry teacher, shared:

“Lexi took Physical Science with me her freshman year, she is such a great leader. She is so willing to talk with anyone and help everyone. She is willing to go out on a limb and try something new outside of her comfort zone. I will definitely miss her sass and her confidence, these attributes keep you wanting to talk to her. Lexi, keep kicking and pushing boundaries”

Lexi is going to miss the “small hometown” feel of RHS. She loves how everyone is here together and how she grew up with everyone. She doesn't care if she's close with everyone, she just knows that the class of 2024 has a special place in her heart. 

Lexi and Aubrey at the 2023 Halloween Bash

Lexi has been an active member of the German Club for the past four years. Currently, she is in German 5 with Mrs. Sarah Seidler. In 8th grade, Lexi had the opportunity to take a world language class, either Spanish or German. She chose German and now it's one of her favorite subjects. The German Club provides many different activities, fundraisers, and cultural events. A highlight is building a float for the Homecoming parade, getting dressed up, and giving out candy. Other events include community events such as September Fest and Dickens of a Christmas as well as the RHS Halloween Bash, bake sales for Walk to End Alzheimer's, and many parties.

Mrs. Siedler noted “Lexi has taken German 2 through German 5 with me. We are currently learning about the geography of the Rhine River as well as reading some legends and new literature that have connections to the river. Lexi has so many strengths, in my classes she has developed confidence in her communication skills which is just so impressive. As a person she is so creative, unbelievably kind, has such an open mind, and has a great work ethic. All of these are such great qualities that will serve her well in the future. I will miss the wonderful sense of humor and the positive energy that she brings to every class! I will also miss the creative expressions she invents in German that become a fun part of our classroom culture - for example, "Tschüss Kuss," which means "good-bye kiss”. Lexi has accomplished so much during her time at RHS and has enriched the high school experience of so many of her classmates just by being the authentically sweet person that she is! I can't wait to see what is in store for her next as she pursues a career path in health care - she has a bright future in front of her!”

Lexi dressed in traditional German clothing for the 2023 Homecoming parade 

Lexi, we are so proud of what you have accomplished in your time at RHS and we can not wait to see what you’ll do in the future!

Senior Spotlight: McKenzie Parnell, The Nursing Extraordinaire!

Our next Senior being featured is Mckenzie Parnell!

McKenzie is a dedicated student-athlete who is working towards becoming a surgeon. She has been able to become an Agency Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) through the Youth Apprenticeship (YA) program. 

McKenzie commented that becoming an Agency CNA is one of her biggest accomplishments. She plans on following a Healthcare career path in the fall when she goes to the University of Wisconsin Eau-Claire to pursue her bachelor's degree in Biology. If that doesn't seem challenging enough, McKenzie plans on being in the Marines as a reserve. After she receives her bachelor's she wants to go to medical school to become a trauma surgeon. 

McKenzie is thankful for the opportunity to job-shadow at Ripon Hospital through the RHS Medical Explorers program. Students go to the hospital and rotate through a variety of different departments such as the lab, surgery, physical therapy, emergency department, clinic, the work and wellness department, and more. It allows the students to explore many facets of the medical field.

Liani, Lexi, and McKenzie enjoying Junior Prom together

Mrs. Tanya Monet-Bakken, a Science teacher here at RHS, shared some comments about McKenzie’s time in her classes: 

“I have had the pleasure of having McKenzie in sophomore biology, anatomy, and genetics in the past, now Bio105, and as a TA. Currently, we are getting ready to take the first unit exam. This is a very fast-paced college class, so we have been covering a lot of chemistry content like functional groups and macromolecules. Students got to bring in food items to test the pH of and ran an acid-base lab. McKenzie's group was the most successful at getting their hydrogen gas to ignite and make a loud pop/whirl sound. McKenzie is a very determined individual, she has a strong work ethic. She seems to have an amazing ability to work with elderly people in a way most people her age would not be mature enough to handle.I will miss McKenzie in the classroom as she adds so much to the positive environment, but even more so as a TA. She has truly been a gift in helping run labs, clean, organize, and brainstorm new ideas. I wish you all the best, I know you can do anything you put your mind to.”

While McKenzie is pursuing her dream career she also plays softball. She has been on the RHS Softball Team all four years of high school and has played since she was four years old. McKenzie plans on continuing her softball career in college. She mentioned that some of her favorite memories are celebrating all the team’s different accomplishments, especially gathering around home plate when a teammate hits a home run.

McKenzie will miss being around her friends everyday. She mentioned that some of her favorite memories are with her friends especially on bus rides. Whether it was for sporting events or field trips, they are always so fun and she will miss those rides the most. McKenzie had noted that she will also miss all the staff members who had helped her pursue her dreams. She had said that they were the biggest help and the best support system. 

McKenzie, we are so proud of what you have accomplished in your time at RHS and we cannot wait to see what you’ll do in the future!