Heather Sutherland

Name: Heather Sutherland

Parents: Nels & Ruth Sutherland

GPA: 4.044

Class Rank: 3

Co-curricular activities:Marching/Symphonic Band, Show Band, Fall Play of 2020

Community activities: In previous years I have been involved in volunteering at St. Alphonsus church for its events, and I have been a Venture Scout in Venture Crew 1862.

Future plans and goals: Major in Biology at Iowa State University with a future career goal involved in scientific research.

How will your high school experiences help you in coming years?

My experiences in high school, both in and out of the classroom, have developed the discipline I will need in the coming years. Taking courses that have challenged me with heavy content made me learn how to manage my time well in order to excel. There are also many milestones that I have reached in high school such as getting my first part-time job, taking my first college class, taking the ACT, and getting my driver’s license. All those responsibilities helped me gain the confidence that I am prepared for the additional responsibilities as I become more independent.

Fondest memory of high school?

My fondest memory of high school has to be last year during the Pella show choir competition. It was my second year being involved in the show band, and we did well in the daytime performance. However, we were up against competition that we have lost to previously going into finals. That performance at finals was the one where everyone left it all on the stage. That night we won grand champions in Pella for the first time in seven years including the caption award for best band. It was a validation of the months of hard work for everyone.

Which teachers have had the biggest impact on your education and why?

My science teachers have fostered my love for science, specifically biology, from a young age. My fifth-grade teacher was the first one that brought STEM Club into my elementary school. She was the same teacher who taught my sixth and seventh-grade science classes and got me involved in the middle school Science Olympiad. Since then I always knew that I wanted to be a scientist. My high school teachers in Biology, Anatomy, and AP science courses have been supportive of me throughout my high school career.

Who is your role model and how did they influence you?

The person I look up to the most is my mother because I admire her strength and determination. A few years ago she decided to go back to college and earn her bachelor’s degree in education while maintaining a full-time job while raising my sister and me. She faces any problem that comes her way head-on, and she inspires me to have her strength as I grow into a young adult.

What is special about your high school?

Mt. Pleasant High School is a small school in a rural community. Being in a small community, everyone knows and supports each other, in academics, sports, and in the community. The teachers especially want to see their students succeed and make sure that each student is provided with the learning that best fits the student’s needs.

If you could go back to when you were a freshman, what advice would you give yourself?

I would tell my freshman self to be more self-assured. A lot of things I was worried about or activities I wanted to do but never did were because of my lack of confidence athletically and academically. I now know that I had the capability to succeed in high school, and I have great potential to succeed in college and other future endeavors.