Cameron is a true gentleman. He’s the kind of guy who responds to questions with “Yes ma’am”. But don’t expect him to use his manners on the soccer field.
Cam has been playing soccer for as long as he can remember. Now he is on the varsity soccer team which is currently undefeated.
Cam has an intense focus on excelling at the sport and contributing to his team. Despite a torn meniscus in his knee, Cam powers through. “I’m not going to give up my senior season,” he explained. Physical therapy and strength training pay off on game day.
In his free time, you’ll find Cam watching soccer (Neymar is his favorite player), listening to country music (Morgan Wallen or “whatever the boys are playing in the car”), going out on the lake with friends, and avoiding bees (he’s allergic).
Where does Cam see himself in 10 years? “Hopefully rich,” he laughed.
He’s resilient and relentless—- traits that will help Cam achieve his goals, on and off the field. Yes sir!
John
“A good hockey player plays where the puck is. A great hockey player plays where the puck is going to be.” ~ Wayne Gretzky
John is a young man moving in the right direction, on and off the ice.
As a captain of the varsity hockey team, John works hard to win games and encourage his teammates. They call him JohnnyFive, because we wears the number 5 jersey. His favorite snack to fuel his game? Ramen.
At school, John enjoys science and is considering a pre-medicine track in college. John participates in the business organization DECA and in Unified, a club that promotes inclusion.
In his free time, John enjoys playing golf, listening to rap, playing ping pong, and binge-watching “Suits”.
Wherever life takes him, John’s determination and grit will push him to achieve— and to anticipate where the puck is going to be.
Jordan
If you’re going to the State Fair, Jordan recommends trying the pickle pizza!
He’s been to the fair twice this year and plans to go again before it ends. He embraces the quirky food, fun rides, and big crowds.
This summer, Jordan also played a lot of golf. He is on the varsity golf team. His favorite course is Augusta, which he played with his Dad and grandfather. The golfer that inspires him most is Tiger Woods.
Jordan works as a caddy at a golf club. I asked “Is caddying like the movie Caddyshack”? He said no, but agreed it’s a funny movie.
He also works at a local ice rink, doing a variety of tasks from emptying the garbage to driving the Zamboni. In addition to golf, Jordan enjoys hockey and he might lace up his skates this winter.
He had to take a break from hockey a few years ago after being diagnosed with a brain tumor. Thanks to his medical team as well as lots of hard work, strong faith, and resilience, Jordan fully recovered.
In his free time, Jordan likes learning about history, listening to country music (Morgan Wallen and Luke Combs are his favorites), cheering for Gopher football, being on the lake with friends, and going to the cabin with his family which includes a golden retriever named Kona. Oh and he loves the State Fair.
Jordan has a maturity beyond his years. His work ethic, perseverance and joy of living will keep him moving on and upward.
“The greatest thing about tomorrow is, I will be better than I am today.”
~ Tiger Woods
Sylvie
Sylvie’s favorite place is behind a boat, surfing over the wake with wind blowing through her hair. She learned to wakesurf the summer after third grade and has been on water ever since.
On land, you might find her at the mall. She loves to shop. PacSun and Ulta are favorites. She has a flair for fashion and is currently decorating denim overalls to show her school spirit at football games.
Clothes cost money so Sylvie works at a local restaurant as a food runner. Her favorite kind of food is Indian. And she has a sweet tooth. After her shoot, we treated ourselves to ice cream from a food truck.
Faith is a cornerstone of Sylvie’s life. She is active in her church and she strives to treat others with kindness and respect. When I told her we’ll be hosting an exchange student this fall who doesn’t know anyone, Sylvie said “I’ll be her friend.” And she meant it.
Sylvie loves to travel. South Africa tops her list of destinations~ she went on a mission trip there a few years ago and got to go on safari. She enjoys exploring new places and experiencing different cultures.
In school, Sylvie likes history and math. She plans to study business and perhaps pursue a career in sales. She is a free spirit and a go-getter. Whether she’s surfing a wake or chasing a dream, Sylvie will carve a path all her own.
Courtney
They say diamonds are a girl’s best friend. Courtney would agree.
Courtney has studied diamonds and knows how to inspect each gem with tools including a loupe and a black light. She has an eye for quality and value, which is useful when she buys and sells diamonds.
Like a jewel, Courtney has many facets.
Courtney is a full-time PSEO student at the University of Minnesota, even though she is in high school. She enjoys math and science and plans to major in biology on a pre-med track.
She is a certified nursing assistant and works in a long term care facility. She plans on a career in healthcare.
In her free time, Courtney likes to listen to music (Post Malone is her favorite artist), snuggle with her cats, go boating with friends, or dress up for an evening out.
Her favorite restaurant is 6Smith. Her favorite food is cheese. Not just any cheese~ she prefers gourmet European varieties that I can’t pronounce. Let’s just say it’s not Velveeta.
Like a diamond, Courtney sparkles. She’s strong and timeless. Her ambition and joy will enhance her future in healthcare and the patients she serves.
Liam
Liam will spend his 18th birthday this week at football practice, followed by sushi dinner with his family.
On the field, Liam is agile and aggressive. He is a running back for the varsity football team and a catcher for the baseball team. He wears jersey number 4 for both sports and is determined to work hard to win.
Off the field, Liam is a registered animal therapy handler. He and his golden retriever, Penny, will volunteer at a school and with a group home to help teens build social skills and manage anxiety. Sharing Penny’s smile and stories about her are impactful ways to connect with others.
Liam coaches teens who have special needs through the Unified club at school. Unified is about inclusion, friendship, and fun. Liam also volunteers with a special needs group at his church.
Liam is a fix-it guy. He works as a welder for a boat propeller repair company. He’s saving up for a pickup truck. He also likes to build things. Together, Liam and his dad built a Zamboni for their backyard ice rink!
In his free time, Liam likes reading, working out, and listening to rock or country music. He also enjoys the outdoors — favorite destinations are the lake, Lutsen, Cuyuna, and the Boundary Waters for wakesurfing, snowboarding, mountain biking, canoeing, and camping.
At school, his favorite classes are biology and anatomy and he is considering a career in healthcare.
In the meantime, Liam and his dog will make a “pawsitive” difference in young people’s lives.
Haley
When Haley was 9, she taught herself to walk on stilts. When she sets her mind to something, she goes for it.
She rarely gets the stilts out these days. As captain of the varsity swim team, Haley is busy preparing for swim season. She competes in backstroke and freestyle.
When she isn’t in the pool, she’s at one of her summer jobs: Haley works at an ice cream shop (she recommends the amaretto cherry) and she is a nanny for 3 active kids.
This spring, she’ll take the field as a midfielder for varsity lacrosse. She is also a team captain. Haley knows there are no shortcuts to success, so she puts in the work.
At school, she enjoys science and may study kinesiology in college. She also participates in DECA, a student business organization, and qualified for the state competition.
To relax, she likes to listen to country music (Morgan Wallen is a favorite) or play with her dogs. And nothing beats a good nap.
Haley also enjoys spending time with her family. She is the middle child and when I asked her what that’s like, she said “It’s great! No complaints.” I have a feeling Haley doesn’t complain about much. She has an optimistic, bring-it-on attitude.
Whether she’s in the pool, on the field, or in the classroom, Haley will make waves!
Logan
Logan resembles a young Matthew McConaughey in his breakout role in the ‘70s movie Dazed and Confused. Logan is tall with long hair, a mustache, a confident swagger, and a charming smile. He even has a 1972 muscle car.
Logan doesn’t star in movies-- he stars in football games. He plays offensive line and defensive line for the varsity football team and is determined to earn wins on Friday nights this fall.
He is also on the varsity baseball team where he plays third base and pitches. You could say he loves sports.
I photographed Logan at his family farm. Growing up on a farm, Logan is no stranger to baling hay and driving machinery. At one point, the cows in the pasture stopped grazing to see what we were doing. It wasn’t long before they photo-bombed us. Logan distracted the cows with grain. “It’s like ice cream to them,” he explained.
In his free time, Logan likes lifting weights, playing golf, listening to rap (21 Savage, Yeet, and Tyler the Creator top his playlist), and watching movies (especially comedies or “anything with Will Ferrell”).
For now he is focused on football and his future. Logan's motivation and work ethic will make a difference on the road to success.
“Success isn’t owned— it’s leased. And rent is due every day.” ~ J.J. Watts
Grace
Grace’s resting face is a smile. She smiles often, even while she talks. Her cheerfulness is magnetic.
But don’t let the smile fool you: On the ice, Grace is all business.
As captain of varsity girls hockey, Grace leads her team on defense. She is physical and likes to get assists. She’s been called an “offensive defenseman”. Grace loves hockey and says her teammates are like family.
At school, Grace likes math and science. She is a member of National Honor Society and DECA, a business organization. This fall, she and other DECA students will raise funds for schoolchildren in Mexico as part of a project.
Of all of Grace’s activities, perhaps the one closest to her heart is Letters of Love. Grace is the incoming president. Letters of Love members make and send encouraging cards to kids battling serious illnesses.
After all, spreading smiles is what Grace does best.
Victor
Victor is looking forward to taking the field with his teammates on Friday nights. As a football team captain, he leads with confidence and determination. “I don’t like to lose,” he said.
Victor is competitive but also compassionate. As chair of the Unified club, he promotes inclusion through sports and games. Unified is about building friendships with differently abled peers. Victor sees the difference it makes in his classmates’ lives.
He works part-time as a personal care attendant for a young man with special needs. Victor helps him learn life skills, gain independence, and have fun.
At home, Victor enjoys cooking. For his birthday, he asked his parents for a virtual cooking class with Gordon Ramsey. He learned a lot from Chef Ramsey and now he whips up dishes like beef wellington, cedar planked grilled salmon, and rosemary crepes.
He’s a culinary enthusiast but doesn’t plan a career in it. Math is Victor’s favorite school subject and he plans to study finance in college.
With his fierce perseverance and concern for others, Victor will make a big impact in the world.
On and off the field, he makes every play count.
Maggie
You’d never guess Maggie played two basketball games right before this photo shoot. She has a calm energy and a joyful presence.
Maggie is a captain and the starting center of the varsity basketball team. She also leads the varsity soccer team as a captain.
Her pre-game ritual includes listening to music to get pumped up. Favorite bands include Foo Fighters, Tame Impala and Lord Huron.
During the summer Maggie nurtures little hearts in her job as a nanny of 4 kids, age 5 and under! She says the key to nannying is to stay calm even during a meltdown.
Maggie has a creative side and she likes to do crafts with the kids. She also enjoys embroidery, embellishing clothes and backpacks with her thread art. And she makes colorful cards for sick kids through Letters of Love.
To relax, Maggie likes being with friends and family, including her golden retriever Ollie, or watching Marvel movies. Her celeb crushes? Chris Evans (Captain America) and Henry Cavill (Superman).
Senior year and beyond, Maggie will continue to set her goals high, conquer challenges with confidence, and serve others with creativity and compassion.
The Marvel universe would be proud.
Hugh
Watching Wimbledon last week on tv was a highlight for Hugh—even though his favorite tennis player (Novak Djokovic) didn’t win.
Tennis is a big part of Hugh’s life. He grew up playing tennis with his brothers and now he is captain of the varsity team. He likes tennis because it’s a mental game.
When he’s not on the court, you’ll find Hugh on the lake, whether it’s wakesurfing or working at Lord Fletcher’s where he docks boats.
In his free time, Hugh likes to watch sports with his Papa (grandfather) or hang out with his goldendoodle Bosco.
He looks forward to the State Fair where he’ll try new, unique foods. Hugh is an adventurous eater, but he absolutely hates ketchup. (He dips French fries in barbecue sauce.) His favorite food? “Anything my Papa grills.”
In school, Hugh participates in the student marketing organization DECA. In addition to business, he likes to draw and is considering studying architectural engineering in college. He will probably attend a large university.
As Hugh starts senior year and makes plans for his future … the ball is in his court!
Brady
Brady is one of those rare species: a 3-sport athlete.
Brady competes in baseball, football, and wrestling. His favorite sport? “The one that’s in season,” he says.
Right now, that’s baseball. Brady plays first and third base. Baseball will be coming to an end soon and he will have a couple of weeks off before football practice starts.
This fall, he will play defensive end and tight end for the varsity football team. Their first opponent beat them in the section finals last year, so the Spartans are eager for revenge. According to Brady, nothing compares to the excitement of Friday night lights.
Sports isn’t the only thing Brady juggles. He really does know how to juggle and he brought along baseballs to prove it. He learned to juggle from his dad.
He also likes to read (Harry Potter is a favorite), listen to country music, and go on late night drives with friends.
Brady participates in Unified club where he plays sports and builds friendships with students of all abilities. Unified is about inclusion and that matters to Brady.
With his motivation, discipline, and focus, Brady is headed for victory on and off the field. As the legendary coach Vince Lombardi said, the only place success comes before work is in the dictionary.
Lauren
Lauren could be a spokesperson for resilience. She’s had 7 concussions (yes, 7) but that won’t stop her from pursuing her dreams.
Lauren is on the varsity volleyball team and also runs track. She has a heart for others. This spring, Lauren and her volleyball teammates plunged into ice cold water to support Special Olympics.
Although she likes being with friends and making them laugh, recovery from a concussion requires spending a lot of time alone and unplugged from social media. During that time, Lauren learned a lot about herself. She is soulful and strong.
In her free time, Lauren enjoys playing with her golden retriever or curling up with a good book. She loves to read. The Great Gatsby is one of her favorites.
She also likes to listen to all kinds of music (except metal). She would love to see country star Morgan Wallen in concert one day.
Until then, she will focus on preparing for volleyball season and enjoying the last year of high school. She looks forward to the future and is prepared to meet life’s challenges head-on!
Ryan
It was a rainy day but Ryan’s bright smile and cheerful attitude made up for the lack of sunshine!
Ryan looked stunning in a sundress and heels but she is happiest in a softball jersey and cleats. She is a captain of the varsity softball team.
Ryan keeps her eye on the ball on the field and in the classroom. As a member of the National Honor Society, academics are a priority. She is involved in DECA, a student marketing and entrepreneurship organization. Her DECA finance project earned her a trip to the international conference in Orlando this spring.
In her free time, Ryan likes to cook. She is gluten free and so are her recipes, but they aren’t boring. She likes to get creative and experiment with ingredients, like fried rice with a medley of roasted vegetables or avocado toast topped with honey and diced egg.
This summer Ryan will be busy playing softball, listening to music (she likes everything from country to rock and rap), and hanging out with friends. She looks forward to going to the State Fair- but no Sweet Martha’s cookies for her. (They aren’t GF!)
And you can bet she will brighten spirits wherever she goes, rain or shine.
Joey
Joey will attend the University of Tampa to study entrepreneurship. Being an entrepreneur is more than just starting a business.
It takes passion, innovation, the ability to recognize potential, and a willingness to take risk— some of the same qualities Joey relies on as varsity lacrosse captain. He will play D1 lacrosse in college. He likes the sport because it’s challenging and “you can put your own flair on it”.
This summer you can find Joey working, playing golf, jet skiing with friends, and fishing for muskie and bass with his Dad.
As he heads to college this fall, Joey is well equipped with Midwestern values and an entrepreneurial spirit.
William
William is named after his grandfather. And like his grandfather, William plans to become an Eagle Scout.
Eagle is the highest rank in scouting and requires perseverance and service. In order to earn this rank, William is raising funds and building fences at a hockey rink so that it can be used as a dog park. William comes from a dog-friendly family: he has two dogs and his dad is a dog trainer.
Besides scouting, fitness is William’s other passion. Most days you’ll find him at the gym, and two knee surgeries have barely slowed him down. He hopes to pursue a career in fitness. He also enjoys playing lacrosse, hanging out with friends, drinking coffee [when he’s not drinking a raw protein shake], and listening to rap [Kendrick Lamar is his favorite].
He works at a gym and uses his earnings to buy gas, concert tickets, and rings. He has a collection of rings. One special ring he wears is embossed with ocean waves. William bought it after a painful knee surgery. “The waves remind me to go with the flow,” he explained. That’s wisdom.
As you encounter obstacles in life William, remember sometimes it’s best to go with the flow. Good advice for us all.
Piper
Piper loves to travel, experiencing different cultures and climates. Her favorite spots so far are Mexico and the Dominican Republic, where she puts her Spanish speaking skills to use.
Piper has more time to travel since she “retired” from competitive gymnastics after 12 years. Fitness is still a priority though. She works out, lifts weights, and plays softball. She also works at a local grocery store. A job is a must for a girl who likes to shop!
Piper has a keen eye for fashion. Even as a toddler, Piper preferred getting clothes rather than toys for her birthday. But she doesn’t plan to pursue a career in fashion. This fall, she will attend San Diego State to study nutrition.
Wherever her travels take her next, may she bless others with her kindness and curiosity, and maybe some fashion tips too.
Alex
Alex is an athletic and artistic young man. He plays center field on the varsity baseball team, and he plans to attend Ohio University.
When he’s not studying or playing ball, this self-described “dork” might be working on an art project, cruising on his skateboard, hanging out with his dog Buddy, or thrifting at a second hand store.
Alex likes thrifting because “you can find something unique, one of a kind.” I think that describes Alex.
Chase
Good thing Chase isn’t superstitious. His senior photo shoot was on Friday the 13th.
It’s also a good thing Chase has a sense of humor. When I mentioned he looks like my teen celeb crush from the 80s band Menudo, he laughed [and cringed]. Then he Googled Menudo because he had never heard of them. How times change!
Chase plays varsity soccer— he’s a goalie. He also works part-time at his family’s restaurant, Spasso. I’m told the lasagna is legendary! He will attend the University of Texas and is leaning toward engineering as a career.
In his free time, Chase enjoys downhill skiing, water skiing, lifting weights, and playing card games. He was heading to poker night with the guys after this shoot.
In poker as in life, we play the hand we are dealt. I have no doubt that Chase will play his wisely and well.