Photos: Chris Emeott
Each year, area schools nominate incoming seniors who stand out in a variety of ways. It’s a highlight of the year for our magazine staff as we get to know some spectacular students who have achieved extraordinary things in pursuit of their dreams, leaving positivity and joy in their wake. We are so impressed with this group of seniors from the class of 2025—their dedication and heart for others is truly astonishing. Readers, I hope these young voices bring you as much hope for the future as they did for our team.
Tashvi Johnson
Hill-Murray School
“Tashvi Johnson is a leader among her peers … She leads with empathy and kindness, often stepping into places where a person is needed, even if she has no prior experience. She is an outstanding student and human.”—Therese Walth, artistic director of theater and vocal/choral music director
“Tashvi embodies the core values of our school and, in particular, fosters a community of belonging. In her many roles at school and in our community, she has become an advocate for those who do not have a voice, making the verse ‘love thy neighbor’ a part of her core beliefs … She is humble in her service to community but is natural at living her life devoted to service.” — Jenny Vinck, school counselor
When you look back on your high school years, what are you most proud of?
I am most proud of everything I have balanced throughout the years, including work, advanced classes, theater, figure skating and other extracurricular activities. In all these opportunities, my dedication and perseverance helped me grow as an individual.
What is one experience that has shaped who you are today?
One experience that shaped who I am today is the mission trip to Knoxville, Tennessee, which I went on through my church. During this week, I grew stronger in my faith, made friendships with teens from across the country and discovered a love for helping kids. Most importantly, I learned the value of leading a life with a heart for service.
What are your hopes for the future?
After high school, I plan to attend college in the Midwest, major in biology or chemistry, and attend pharmacy school. I want to work as a pharmacist in either pediatrics or medication therapy management. Outside of school, I hope to travel to all of the Seven Wonders of the World. I’ve already got one down, and now six more to go.
All-time favorite song: Flaming Hot Cheetos by Clairo
Current TV binge: Avatar: The Last Airbender
Choose a superpower: Time travel
Go-to local hangout: Cup and Cone! But I do love getting one of the monthly special coffees at Anchor [Coffee House] too.
More about Tashvi:
- Tashvi is active in choir, figure skating, technical theater, theater and Quiz Bowl. She serves on the DECA officer team, as the communications director for her school’s National Honor Society and is also a member of Pioneer Performers.
- She was awarded the Cup of Heart and Hustle for the Fall play, Baskerville. The award is given to a person who has shown great kindness, diligence and acceptance of others.
- She received Hill-Murray’s Platinum Service Award for 80 service experiences.
- She sings at St. Mary of the Lake Church services and participates in peer ministry and music ministry at her school.
Joy Shadrack
Mahtomedi High School
“Joy is a student with an amazing positive attitude. She makes those around her better and makes them feel important. Whenever we have worked together, she leaves the interaction grateful for the opportunity to have talked. Joy carries herself with confidence and helps to do the same through her optimism and kindness. In school, she’s been a leader in many different organizations and one that stands out is Link Crew, which gives her the opportunity to mentor younger students in our school. It’s hard to not have a smile on your face when working with Joy. Joy is also an outstanding student and chooses to challenge herself with a demanding schedule that includes AP, honors and College in the Schools.” — Keith Miley, school counselor
When you look back on your high school years, what are you most proud of?
I’m most proud of the opportunities I took. These opportunities really opened me up to new perspectives and experiences that impacted me positively and expanded my horizons. I also enjoyed learning more about and connecting with new communities that I otherwise would not have connected with.
What is one experience that has shaped who you are today?
An experience that has really shaped who I am today is my faith. As a Christian, my faith has always been very important to me. The experiences and connections forged through my faith and Christian community have provided me with mentors, friends and peers that have challenged, understood and encouraged me. Growing with that support and connection has definitely shaped and strengthened who I am today.
What are your hopes for the future?
When looking at my future, the possibilities seem endless. With all the available opportunities, I’m still undecided but will continue to pursue my education while keeping my options open and exploring topics in and outside of school that spark my interest and pique my curiosity.
All-time favorite song: Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond
Current TV binge: Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo
Choose a superpower: Telepathy
Go-to local hangout: Usually a park or any arcade-style hangout, but I really enjoy hanging out anywhere as long as I’m with friends.
More about Joy:
- Joy has been active in Art Club, Drama Club, Modeling A Protein Story (MAPS) team and theater.
- Joy is the co-founder of Essence Club, a group focused on helping to celebrate and understand diverse cultures, and is a part of the Building Awareness Surrounding Equity (BASE) Club and Link Crew. She served on the Student Leadership Council in ninth and tenth grade.
- Joy has competed in National History Day, receiving first place in the Solo Performance Category in the state competition and performing at the national level.
- At a White Bear Center for the Arts competition, Joy received an award of excellence in the Spoken Word and Persuasive Essay categories.
- Joy is a member of National Honor Society and the National Society of High School Scholars. She has also competed in the Brain Bee Competition, where she was a state qualifier.
- She has volunteered as a mural painter at her local library, in O.H. Anderson Elementary’s reading buddy program, at a courage retreat for seventh grade students and in medical support at the Target USA Cup youth soccer tournament.
John Pietruszewski
Hill-Murray School
“Even if John were the least academically talented and least athletically accomplished kid in the school (which he isn’t), he would stand out from his class for his ability to step up and take chances—small, usually, but chances nonetheless. If nobody else was cleaning up spilled milk, John would be the one to step in. Leading by example is rare among teenagers, but John’s subtle but unmistakable commitment to stepping up is an invaluable asset to his class.” — Ben Pieper, English teacher
“John Pietruszewski is an incredible young man whose influence and impact permeate throughout our school and community. In my 15 [plus] years of coaching, John’s energy, positivity, maturity and leadership landed him in the top 5 percent of all student athletes I have coached.” — Charlie Cicalello, varsity baseball head coach
When you look back on your high school years, what are you most proud of?
I am the most proud of the great relationships I have built with my friends, teammates and coaches. I have been able to find amazing friends who allow me to be myself and enjoy my high school years to the fullest. I have also been able to connect with and learn from my extremely knowledgeable coaches throughout my years at Hill-Murray.
What is one experience that has shaped who you are today?
One experience that has shaped me today is going to State for football in the 2023–24 season. As a team, we worked so hard for months, and in the end, it truly paid off. This experience taught me that no matter how difficult the task is at hand, there is always a way for you to achieve it with hard work and dedication.
What are your hopes for the future?
In the future, I hope to go to college and play baseball. I want to earn a degree and get a job somewhere in the medical field. Lastly, I want to start a family of my own and be a great father and husband.
All-time favorite song: Courtesy of the Red White and Blue by Toby Keith
Current TV binge: Money Heist
Choose a superpower: I would be able to read minds.
Go-to local hangout: On White Bear Lake
More about John:
- In athletics, John has received All-Conference awards for varsity baseball and All-District for varsity football. He serves as captain in varsity basketball and plays club baseball with the Blizzard Baseball Club.
- He serves his community through academic tutoring, servant leadership volunteering and by allowing potential Hill-Murray students to shadow him.
- John is a member of National Honor Society and Student Council and was selected to be a part of the Future Leaders Scholarship program. He was honored as Student of the Month in the Hill-Murray religion department.
- In past summers, John has worked at a youth baseball camp.
Amelia Nachtsheim
White Bear Lake Area High School
“Amelia has stood out as a leader on the [cross country] team from the beginning. She is a great encourager and displays discipline and determination in her own work to lead by example. I’m excited to have her as a captain and create a culture for the rest of the athletes to look up to.” — Audrey Kirschling, cross country coach
“Amelia is a driven student who has taken multiple college-level courses while making the A honor roll throughout high school. She is an exemplary learner who models dedication and hard work. I admire her capacity to excel across many curricular areas as well as her leadership skills in varsity athletics.” — Rochelle Vavricka, school counselor
“Amelia is an enthusiastic learner with a positive outlook and attitude in the classroom. Her ability to communicate with others is commendable. I’m continuously impressed by her collaboration, and I enjoy hearing her thoughts on our classwork.” — Cassandra Lydon, chemistry teacher
When you look back on your high school years, what are you most proud of?
I am proud of the relationships I’ve built with my teammates, especially the younger girls. I have put a lot of work and effort into making sure that everyone feels like a family and included, and I feel that is a legacy I will be successfully leaving behind. Having an older girl come up to you and ask you how your day is and be friends with you used to be the highlight of my days. I am proud that I can do that for other girls.
What is one experience that has shaped who you are today?
An experience that has shaped me into the person I am today was my freshman year of cross country. This team not only taught me a lot about the sport, but about high school and perseverance, too. I was able to gain close friendships with girls on the team and found my closest friends from it. Freshman year cross country taught me what I should look for in friendships and how to push through struggles I face. [It has] shaped me to have a more positive outlook on things.
What are your hopes for the future?
My future dreams and aspirations are to successfully complete college and then hopefully move [to the] East Coast to continue my career and life. I want to be able to live on a big farm with a lot of land and acres of my own. Living on the East Coast has been a dream of mine for a long time, and I hope to be able to achieve it.
All-time favorite song: Grenade by Bruno Mars
Current TV binge: Young Sheldon
Choose a superpower: Teleportation
Go-to local hangout: The Wild Bean
More about Amelia:
- Amelia participates and serves as captain in varsity cross country, nordic ski and track. She also owns, trains and has been competitively eventing horses since the age of 12.
- She is a member of National Honor Society and a Link Crew leader.
White Bear Lake Magazine extends its appreciation to the team at White Bear Center for the Arts for its use as a backdrop for our Senior Spotlight feature photo shoot.
White Bear Center for the Arts
4971 Long Ave.; 651.407.0597
Facebook: White Bear Center for the Arts
Instagram: @whitebearcenterforthearts
