Rural Senior High Student
Lauren Zitelman, Bronaugh R-VII
Outstanding Rural Secondary Student
Lauren Zitelman
Santa Fe R-X School District
A student of high standards, an achiever in academics, extra-curricular activities, school organizations and especially in life is Lauren Zitelman, a senior at Santa Fe High School in Alma, Missouri. She is currently ranked first in her class and has a cumulative grade point average in excess of 4.0. Upon graduation, Lauren will have earned 21 hours of college credit through the districts dual enrollment program.
Lauren is described as one of the MOST outstanding young people that you will find in today’s world. The citizens of Missouri will be proud of the educational programs in rural Missouri schools as evidenced by Lauren’s academic performance, dedication to her studies, industrious use of her time, strong moral character, outstanding citizenship, and her involvement in many school, church and community activities making her able to compete academically with students throughout the world.
At this rural school, she has found many opportunities to develop her interest, and her leadership skills. This dedication does not come at the expense of other responsibilities. The sponsors of the various clubs find her to be dependable and organized. She is active in drama with leads in the fall plays and also participates in the Academic Bowl and Math Contests. As president of the Santa Fe Student Council, she works well with administration, staff and students. Other school involvement spans numerous activities and achievements including National Honor Society, FFA, FCCLA, FBLA, SADD, choir and speech. Additionally, she participates in volleyball, softball, and track.
In the community, Lauren’s contributions are also numerous. She has been a member of 4-H for 10 years, is active in her church youth group. She represented Santa Fe by attending Girls State in 2011, and she has been a donor during local blood Drives. She has participated in the Alma 4th of July and Christmas celebrations and the Waverly Apple Jubilee.
After graduation, Lauren plans to attend the University of Missouri. After college, she plans to return to a rural area to pursue a career in business. She values the quality of life she has enjoyed in a small community, and the inspiration drawn from a strong community leadership, a family tradition, she looks forward to carrying on this legacy in the future.
Lauren Zitelman, one who values the life style and education she has received from a rural school district and the desire to return to the community following graduation from college makes her most deserving as the Outstanding Rural Secondary Student for 2012.