The S.H.S. Student of the Month (SotM) is the highest level of academic and extracurricular recognition for S.H.S. seniors. SotM winners are students who have challenged themselves with rigorous courses, are involved in many activities and/or athletics, have taken on a leadership role within the school community, and portray S.H.S. in a positive light. The two students that were awarded this title for November are Kate Austin and Patrick Riley
Within her high school career, Austin has proven her worth at S.H.S. with the many clubs and activities she is involved in; she has also worked very hard throughout high school to achieve a 4.026 GPA. Austin has taken rigorous courses such as AP Biology, AP Language & Composition, AP U.S. History, AP Human Geography, and AP Pre-Calculus. As well as her AP course load, Austin has also partook in several accelerated courses to give herself a challenge during her time at S.H.S.
In addition to her course load, Austin is involved in young doctor’s league, girls swim and dive, National Honor Society, girls basketball, and manager of girls basketball. In young doctors league, Austin claimed the role of vice president her junior year and president her senior year. She was also one of the captains of the girls swim and dive team senior year.
Following her high school career, Austin plans to go to college at Illinois State University and study nursing. While at ISU, Austin also plans on working as the manager of the women’s basketball team.
The other student of the month recipient is Patrick Riley. Riley is a proud academic leader with a 4.33 gpa. To achieve this high gpa, Riley partook in AP Human Geography, AP Biology, AP U.S. History, AP Language and Composition, AP Chemistry, AP Pre-Calculus, AP Government, AP Calculus, AP Literature and Composition, and AP Computer Science. He also completed accelerated classes in math, english, and science. Riley has received many honors within his school work such as; Rotary scholar, freshman student of the month, AP scholar, and University of Notre Dame Research Student.
When not focusing on school work, Riley participates in young doctors league, student council, swim, tennis, golf, robotics, and National Honor Society. Within all his sports, he has been an all conference athlete, MVP, and most improved on the swim team twice. Within his clubs he has received the leadership positions of president of young doctors league, varsity swim captain twice and co-president of National Honor Society.
After high school, Riley is planning on pursuing an undergraduate degree in biomedical engineering while on the pre-law track to then attend graduate school for a JD and Ph.D. degree in bioethics.
These two dedicated individuals have put all their effort into being the best students they possibly could be at Sterling High School.
