With Merit: Janna Trautwein

The Southeast Missourian continues to introduce you to local National Merit semifinalists who scored big on the PSAT. Out of more than 1.5 million juniors who took the test in 2008, 16,000 were named semifinalists. They will now compete for finalist standing by taking the SAT and submitting an application and recommendations -- with the hope of winning a scholarship. This week's scholar is Janna Trautwein. When she's not participating in cross country, Trautwein competes and teaches dance almost every night during the week.

School: Central High School

Age: 18

Parents: Steve and Jody Trautwein

What's your favorite school activity and why? I can't really choose between dance team and cross country. I've always loved to perform, and I'm good friends with the girls on the [dance] team, plus I've known them all and danced with them since just about forever. Cross country is great because it's something that I never imagined I would be doing in high school, and I can focus on my own goals without worrying about competing against anyone but myself. Plus, we're a really close team this year and going to meets and spaghetti dinners is super fun.

How do you balance school and extracurricular activities? As soon as I come home from practice, I get my homework done so I don't have to worry about it later. It's really not bad this year because I don't ever have much homework.

What is your dream college and what do you plan to study? I would love to go to Princeton because my dad went there, and it's a great school. I want to study biology and also have the opportunity to dance in college.

Who is your favorite teacher and how did they inspire you to learn? Ms. Emily Limbaugh is the challenge teacher at [Central], and I've been coming to her class since I came to the high school in eighth grade. She is always encouraging us to do our best in whatever we do, and she gives us a place where we can do what we need to do, whether it's to do homework, read, unwind or just be ourselves. She always researches interesting facts and fills us with knowledge!

What is your most notable academic achievement? I'm top 10 of the senior class, and I've always had above an 11.0 GPA on a scale of 11.

What is the biggest challenge facing your generation? I think our hardest obstacle will be to change people from thinking about themselves to thinking about others. There are so many people in our world who have almost nothing, and the people who have everything you could ever imagine don't take advantage of their situation to help others.

How do you plan to address it? I want to raise awareness of poverty and hunger, but in a way that will affect people and cause them to act instead of just making them feel sorry for others.

What is your favorite high school memory? I honestly don't think I could choose a specific moment as my favorite. There have been so many good times in cross country, dance team and just at school. Something I will always remember was when Mr. Janzow, my freshman biology teacher, dressed up as Lil' Wayne. I don't really remember why, but it was one of the funniest moments! High school has been great, so I don't think one memory can encompass my favorite things about it.

What are your expectations for college? I want to be able to start a new part of my life, where I can choose more about what the life ahead of me is going to be. I want to learn so much, but I also want to have a great time and make lifelong friends. That sounds cheesy, but it's true.