Jessica Kraus

Parents: Daniel and Terri Kraus

Co-curricular activities: I participate in volleyball, basketball, track, softball, student council, Kirkwood Student Ambassador, and National Honor Society.

Community activities: I am involved in Girl Scouts and umpire for little league townball.

Future plans and goals: I am going to attend Iowa State University and get a Master’s in Athletic Training. I want to be a full-time athletic trainer at a high school or college after I graduate.

How will your high school experiences help you in the coming years?: My high school experiences will help me in college because I have gotten many great opportunities like being able to attend Kirkwood Community College in high school. This experience and many more like it have helped me learn what I want to do for a career, how to improve my time management, and build on my communication skills.

Fondest memory of high school: My favorite memory of high school was going on the Washington D.C. trip with my class. I loved going to all the monuments and learning about U.S. history, all while hanging out with my friends; I highly recommend going to D.C.

Which teachers have had the biggest impact on you and why?: Mrs. Zywiec has made the biggest impact because she sets high expectations, guides me to learn even when it’s hard, and motivates me to be the best version of myself.

Who is your role model and how did they influence you?: My role model is definitely my parents. Over the years they have taught me to be kind, hardworking, and above all respectful. They do so much for me, that way I can do the things that I love to do. They are who I want to be when I grow up.

What is special about your high school?: Highland is special because they want you to succeed in high school, while also giving great opportunities to the students.

If you go back to when you were a freshman, what advice would you give yourself?: I would tell my freshman self that grades do not define who you are, but your character does.