Shreya Sekar. Photos: Chris Emeott
When we asked local high school administrators to nominate incoming high school seniors who are making a positive impact in their school community, they sure delivered. Our editorial team selected these four students to represent the creativity, intelligence and kindness demonstrated by our community’s next generation of leaders.
Shreya Sekar
Lakeville North High School
What is an achievement or experience from your high school career that you are most proud of?
I am most proud of working with many of my peers on projects that help my community and school. When I was in ninth grade, I had the opportunity to be part of a video and a panel that selected students across the district to share their different viewpoints. This was an amazing opportunity and inspired me to seek out different ways to share my voice and ensure others’ voices are heard, as well. I was later selected for the Governor’s Minnesota Youth Council as a Congressional District 2 representative as a co-lead for data analysis, which allowed me to continue working toward getting youth voices into leadership. I would like to continue on this journey far into my college and working years.
What is something that your peers might not know about you?
My peers probably do not know about my passion for STEM. Exploring STEM is something I love to do, and I find that it is one of the best ways I can go about solving the world’s most pressing problems. A lot of my STEM activities are done outside of school in organizations like Technovation where I am a global student ambassador, and I do a lot of science research, working on projects that help my community whether it be conservation analysis dedicated to Blanding’s turtles or multiple linear regression focused on detecting problematic internet use in adolescents. I have a lot of fun working with data, and I hope that my future includes data analysis and programming.
Extracurricular activities: Asian American Club, Math League, Minnesota Youth Council, National Honor Society, Science Research, Speech, Technovation, UNICEF
What person in history would you most like to speak at your graduation ceremony?
I would want Kevin Hart to speak at my graduation ceremony!
What song should be used as the soundtrack to your high school career?
Let The Light In by Lana Del Rey
What is your favorite childhood book?
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo
What is your favorite school lunch?
Chicken Alfredo
Describe your future in three words.
Exciting, Unknown, Hopeful
Aldon Roe
Eastview High School
What is an achievement or experience from your high school career that you are most proud of?
My best achievement so far in high school was my school’s chapter of Best Buddies winning the Minnesota Chapter of the year in 2024. As co-president, I’ve done a lot of work to try and improve our chapter, such as trying to increase our membership and doing more to foster inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities outside of the club. Receiving that award was a nice validation of that work.
What is something that your peers might not know about you?
I’ve done karate for over 10 years. In that time, I’ve managed to get my black belt. I’ve always really enjoyed it, and it’s a good source of semi-consistent exercise. I was offered a job as an assistant instructor during my senior year, so I’m looking forward to that!
Extracurricular activities: Band, Best Buddies, Jazz Band, National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Tri-M Music Honor Society
What person in history would you most like to speak at your graduation ceremony?
Bob Dylan (I really like his music, and I think he could give a good speech. It also helps that he’s from Minnesota.)
What song should be used as the soundtrack to your high school career?
Francesca by Hozier (No reason other than I like it.)
What is your favorite childhood book?
Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
What is your favorite school lunch?
I used to always get the Italian Dunkers in elementary school.
Describe your future in three words.
Hopefully something good!
Sara Silko
Prior Lake High School
What is an achievement or experience from your high school career that you are most proud of?
My biggest accomplishment in high school was getting into the Minnesota Center for Advanced Professional Studies (MNCAPS). MNCAPS is project-based learning, and I am in the health care pathway. MNCAPS has allowed me to be in college-level classes with the support of my instructors while learning how to become a professional. Through MNCAPS, I have found my passion for radiology. I will be doing PSEO through Rochester Community and Technical College in the hope of getting a head start in completing the prerequisite courses to take the Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences radiography program.
What is something that your peers might not know about you?
Something people don’t know about me is that I am a second-generation child. My parents moved to America from Russia. I grew up speaking Russian in my house and was sent to kindergarten not knowing a word of English. It has been a growing process for me to learn and understand the English language.
Extracurricular activities: Trap shooting and horseback riding (I compete in dressage and hunter/jumper events.)
What person in history would you most like to speak at your graduation ceremony?
Amelia Earhart because of her strong perseverance in overcoming challenges and her great accomplishments.
What song should be used as the soundtrack to your high school career?
28 by Zach Bryan
What is your favorite childhood book?
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst
What is your favorite school lunch?
À la carte french fries
Describe your future in three words.
Bright, Planned, Successful
Alice Yi
Lakeville South High School
What is an achievement or experience from your high school career that you are most proud of?
My proudest achievement to date is being elected [vice president] of Business and Industry for MN DECA for 2025–26, where I’ll serve on a seven-member statewide leadership team. This accomplishment marks the culmination of three years of dedication to DECA. As a freshman, I earned first place at the International Career Development Conference (ICDC). The following year, I applied my skills by launching an art-based small business. I’m excited to represent and lead 6,000 DECA members across Minnesota!
What is something that your peers might not know about you?
While I was in middle school in England, I had a unique opportunity to test remote-synching music technology with renowned jazz pianist Jamie Cullen during [COVID-19]. As one of only four students in the workshop, I connected with him while he performed at the same primary school Ed Sheeran once attended!
Extracurricular Activities: Art (aliceyifineart.com), Asian Student Union, Debate, DECA, Journalism Club, Junior Class Officer, Link Crew, Piano, Math League, National Honor Society, Speech, volunteering
What person in history would you most like to speak at your graduation ceremony?
Michelle Yeoh, the first Asian woman to win an [Academy Award] for Best Actress.
What song should be used as the soundtrack to your high school career?
Non-Stop, from the musical Hamilton by Lin-Manuel Miranda
What is your favorite childhood book?
Wings of Fire series by Tui T. Sutherland was my favorite! In particular. I loved the third book, The Hidden Kingdom.
Describe your future in three words.
Purposeful, Resilient, Dynamic
