Gaetz’s advice: ‘Follow your passions’

by Cori Hilsgen

news@thenewsleaders.com

St. John’s Prep senior Marisa Gaetz, who recently received the Minnesota State High School League District 20 regional Triple A award, says students should follow their passions in high school.

The Triple A award and program recognizes high-school seniors who have excelled in the classroom, on the athletic field and in fine arts.

Gaetz said she has been able to manage academics, athletics and arts because she is very passionate in all three areas. She also said she tries to organize her time wisely so she can give each area the time it needs.

“For students with a wide variety of interests, I think it’s important to try to be involved in all, or almost all, of the activities that interest them,” Gaetz said. “In this way these students can experience successes in activities they are most talented at and can experience failures at those they are less talented at. I think it’s important to experience both, and to balance time between such activities. Although time management can be a big challenge, I think it’s easier when there is genuine interest in each area that is occupying time. I believe students who have given their all in activities they are passionate about will stand out in the competition.”

Gaetz plays varsity soccer and softball, is a state Knowledge Bowl champion and plays percussion in the SJP concert band, jazz band and pep band. Her favorite subjects are mathematics and physics.

Gaetz is the daughter of Rose and Rick Gaetz of St. Joseph. She has one brother, Christian, who is studying mathematics at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities.

Gaetz was recognized for the Triple A award on Jan. 6 at an awards banquet in Paynesville. She is invited to attend another awards banquet in March where she will be eligible to receive a $1,000 scholarship.

One male and one female applicant were chosen from SJP to receive the Triple A award.

“Thinking I’d be a qualified applicant, I submitted an application and was chosen to be the female winner,” she said. “It was an honor to be named my school representative, let alone my district representative. Additionally, it was rewarding to be among such talented and well-rounded individuals at the banquet.”

Gaetz said all Triple A representatives from the schools in her district were asked to give speeches and explain their involvement in academics, arts and athletics. However, until the night of the banquet she didn’t realize the speeches were part of the competition and that a male and a female representative would be chosen from the speakers.

Gaetz received an email the day after the banquet telling her she had advanced in the competition.

“I was surprised at my advancing from this stage, since many of the school representatives were very impressive,” she said.

Gaetz is busy preparing another speech for the March awards banquet and looks forward to meeting more talented and inspiring students at the next stage in the competition.

Some of her favorite memories of her years at SJP include competing in Knowledge Bowl state competitions that are held in Brainerd, playing drums in the pep band and Reef Friday with friends.

The drive to Brainerd Knowledge Bowl competitions includes stopping for lunch-time trivia at Buffalo Wild Wings and bowling.

“However, the most fun is at the competitions, where one can observe many quirky individuals and where one’s obscure knowledge is finally valuable,” she said.

Her team won the state competition as sophomores, placed second as juniors and are working hard to reclaim the title this year.

Playing drums in the pep band during the “Jam the Gym” basketball games, where students and fans come to support their team, she said has been a great way for her to combine her love for music with her love for sports.

The Refectory or “Reef” is the St. John’s University dining facility. On Fridays, grilled sandwiches are a lunch option, with optional ingredients including “Johnny” bread, meat, cheeses and veggies.

“This has been a favorite meal of ours for several years and we go to the ‘Reef’ every Friday that our schedules allow,” she said.

Gaetz plans to study mathematics or mathematics with some physics at either the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of Chicago or the University of Minnesota.

She recommends students who aspire to receive the award be interested in the three areas of academics, arts and athletics.

Students eligible for the Triple A Award exhibit citizenship and are respected individuals in their home communities and school, have participated in an MSHSL-sponsored athletic program and fine arts activity, maintain 3.0 or higher grade-point average and comply with the MSHSL’s Student Code of Conduct.