(If you would like to recommend a student to be considered for this feature, please contact the Newsleader office at news@thenewsleaders.com or call 320-363-7741.)
by Cori Hilsgen
Emily Boettcher is a sophomore at the College of St. Benedict, studying psychology.
Boettcher is the daughter of Jim and Peggy Boettcher. She has two brothers, Zach and Matt, and one sister, Megan. She will soon have a sister-in-law, because Zach is engaged to marry Katie Fraizer in October.
Boettcher is active with the Tanzanian Village Fund and the Reserve Officer Training Corps program. She became aware of the Tanzanian Village Fund when she traveled there in 2010, while attending Cathedral High School. It’s a non-government organization that is working on improving the economy in the village of Mikocheni by reducing poverty. Boettcher said the fund is currently being used to finish a well-building project.
The ROTC program is offered at more than 1,000 United States universities and colleges. The program helps prepare young adults to become officers in the U.S. military. The program offers a paid college education and guaranteed post-college career in exchange for a commitment from cadets to serve in the military after graduation. Boettcher will enter the Army military branch.
As a cadet in the ROTC program, Boettcher is required to take classes which focus on leadership and also to attend physical training sessions twice each week.
“I joined the ROTC program because it combined my goals of being in the military and getting my degree,” Boettcher said.
Fun facts about Boettcher:
Favorite subject: Anything related to psychology. After graduation, she plans to enter the military and then attend graduate school for psychology.
Favorite leisure activity: During her free time, Boettcher enjoys reading or playing soccer. In high school, she received all-conference and all-area honorable mention awards for soccer.
Favorite music: Boettcher enjoys alternative music because she can relate to it and it’s different from the “oh so common” love songs played on the radio.
Favorite movie: Red Tails. “I like movies that are based on true historical events, even if the movie doesn’t follow it exactly,” Boettcher said.
Favorite place to volunteer: During high school, Boettcher traveled to Tanzania. It was her favorite place to volunteer.
“I’ve only been there once, but it was the most rewarding experience of my life and the lessons I learned there, I don’t think I could learn anywhere else,” Boettcher said.
Favorite thing she likes to help other people do:
Boettcher has worked at various nanny jobs in the area since she was 14. She said her previous experience as a nanny has shown her how important reading is in a child’s life. She has enjoyed helping some of the children she worked with improve their reading skills and said it’s one of her favorite things she likes to help other people do.
“It’s so much fun to watch them try to learn something that’s so important to them,” Boettcher said.
Favorite restaurant and food: Her favorite restaurant is Buffalo Wild Wings and her favorite food is green olives.
Favorite quote: “I knew who I was this morning, but I’ve changed a few times since then,” by Lewis Carroll.
The thing she likes best about St. Joseph: “My favorite thing about St. Joe is watching it change and grow over the years, but still having the feeling of a small town,” Boettcher said.
- [/media-credit] Emily Boettcher (right) and her friend, Miya Stewart, are shown at a military ball this spring. Boettcher is a sophomore at the College of St. Benedict. She is in the ROTC program and is studying psychology. Stewart is in the ROTC program with Boettcher, and attends St. Cloud State University.