Successfully juggling school, work and extracurriculars is no easy feat. Check out these four amazing students and discover their tricks for keeping all their balls in the air.
Sam Richardson (pictured above)
East Ridge High School junior Sam Richardson says it’s a family work ethic that drives him to go after excellence in work, school and sports.
Sam and his twin brother, Jack, are the youngest of seven Richardson kids. This busy student has established an impressive resume. He plays the goalkeeper position for East Ridge’s varsity soccer team, which accomplished trips to the state tournament and state championship the past two years. Sam also plays JV golf, while maintaining an impressive 3.95 GPA. During spring, summer and fall, he works at Prestwick Golf Club.
“I look up to my siblings because they all had high GPAs in high school and played sports,” says Sam, who is hoping to play college soccer. “My sister had a 4.0 and missed school all the time for golf. She was probably my first inspiration.”
Sam’s routine is typically school, practice or games, a workout, and homework. He works at the golf course on the weekends and in the summer. “I put 100 percent of my money from the golf course into my college fund; I also do side jobs for extra spending money,” Sam says.”
Tori Rogness
“I really try to be efficient with the time I have,” says Tori Rogness on balancing her demanding schedule. “I highlight my due dates in red on my computer.”
A senior at New Life Academy, Tori is captain of the soccer team, and on student council and National Honor Society. After volunteering to work with the elderly, she took the initiative to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) at 16, the minimum age allowed.
“It was very hard at first; I cold-called 20 nursing homes to see if they’d be willing to hire someone under 18,” says Tori, who works 16 hours every other weekend at Golden Living Center in Stillwater and also works as a receptionist at Genii, a medical device company, three to four hours a week. She is saving her money for college and medical school.
“My employers are really supportive,” Tori says. “I can let them know in advance about prom and soccer, big events that I wouldn’t want to miss.” Tori was also able to use her CNA license to go on a medical mission trip to Nicaragua this past summer, an opportunity not normally available to students under 18.
Leah Cody
For Woodbury High School senior Leah Cody, the key to keeping it all together is having a set schedule.
“I start my day at 5:30 a.m.; I have to be at school for orchestra practice at 7 a.m.,” says Leah, who plays the clarinet for the Woodbury High School Royals marching and pep band as well as concert band. In the fall, she also found time to play the clarinet in the pit orchestra for the school musical.
After school, Leah does her homework, practices her clarinet and then goes to work teaching swimming for Community Education about 10 hours a week. “It helps having this set schedule, so I can pick the days I work and it’s just a habit of repetition,” she says. Leah is saving her money for a band trip and college.
In the summer, Leah is a lifeguard and swim instructor at Colby Lake pool. Up until her senior year, she competed on the Royals’ swim team.
“My teachers, coaches and family have been a great support system. They always encourage me to keep on trying and to never give up,” Leah says. This super senior also has the support of her fellow students: she was named the Royals’ homecoming queen last fall.
Jack richardson
East Ridge junior Jack Richardson, Sam Richardson’s twin brother, says staying ahead of his school work during the busy school year is essential. Jack maintains a 3.98 GPA and a job, while he is working toward his goal of a Division I college golf scholarship.
“During golf season, I usually have to go to my teachers and get a five-day schedule so I know what I can get ahead on for the week,” says Jack, who often has to miss school for golf tournaments during the hectic season in the spring. Jack also plays on the JV soccer team for East Ridge, and that season is in the fall.
In addition to practicing his game, Jack spends time on the golf course working weekends and non-tournament days. At age 13 he began working on the golf course at Prestwick Golf Club, and now has transitioned to working banquets. He also works at Stone Ridge Golf Club during the summer.
“It’s really important for me to have a strong backbone with faith in God,” says Jack on how he balances his school work, sports and jobs. “Going to church as a family on Sunday is a way to settle down and recollect.”
