Indian Lake High School has recognized two of its most accomplished students, Gavin Henry and Augusta Biederman, as the Seniors of the Month for October. The award highlights their extensive involvement in athletics, academics, and leadership, as well as their ambitious plans for careers in the healthcare field after graduation.
Both students have demonstrated a remarkable commitment to a wide range of extracurricular activities while maintaining strong academic records. Their selection underscores a dedication to personal growth, community involvement, and future service.
Key Takeaways
- Gavin Henry and Augusta Biederman were named Indian Lake High School's October Seniors of the Month.
- Both students are multi-sport varsity athletes with significant involvement in academic clubs and student government.
- Henry plans to pursue a career as a flight care nurse, while Biederman aims to become a labor and delivery nurse or an MRI technologist.
- Their advice to parents emphasizes the importance of support and allowing children to explore new interests.
Gavin Henry: A Profile in Discipline and Ambition
Gavin Henry, the son of Derek and Michelle Henry of Russells Point, has built an impressive high school resume through dedication in both athletics and academics. His involvement spans multiple demanding sports, including football, wrestling, and track and field.
His athletic prowess is particularly notable in track, where he holds the school record for the 110-meter hurdles. His performance also earned him 2nd Team All-Conference honors in that event and a Special Mention for the 300-meter hurdles. These achievements reflect not just natural talent, but countless hours of training and refinement.
The Role of a Flight Care Nurse
Henry's chosen career path, a flight care nurse, is a highly specialized and demanding role within emergency medicine. These professionals provide critical care to patients during air transport, often in high-stress situations aboard helicopters or fixed-wing aircraft. The job requires advanced medical knowledge, quick decision-making, and physical resilience, skills often developed through competitive athletics.
Beyond the sports field, Henry is an active member of the National Honor Society (NHS), the Science Club, and DECA, an organization that prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management. This blend of activities showcases a well-rounded individual focused on both physical and intellectual challenges.
When asked about his inspirations, Henry cited a wide range of figures, from his parents and coaches to historical figures and fictional heroes like Bruce Wayne. His reading choice, Meditations by Marcus Aurelius, suggests a reflective nature and an interest in stoic philosophy.
"I have never regretted any decision I have ever made, because every decision I have made has made me into the person I am today."
This powerful statement reflects a mature outlook on life, embracing every experience as a formative part of his journey. His advice to parents is equally insightful: "Give your children all the support you can and never tell them they shouldn’t try new things."
Augusta Biederman: Leadership Across Campus
Augusta Biederman, the daughter of Gus and Holly Biederman of DeGraff, has distinguished herself as a leader and a versatile participant in nearly every aspect of school life. Her commitment to student governance is clear, having served as Sophomore class president, Junior class secretary, and now Senior class secretary.
Her athletic career is exceptionally diverse, earning varsity letters in four different sports: soccer (4 years), wrestling (2 years), track (2 years), and swim (1 year). Competing at the varsity level in so many disciplines demonstrates incredible time management, athleticism, and a strong work ethic.
A Leader in Service
Biederman's leadership extends to service-oriented clubs. She is the vice president of the National Honor Society and the president of SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions), a club dedicated to promoting positive and healthy choices among peers. She has also been a four-year member of the Key Club and the Science Club.
Biederman's future is also focused on healthcare. She plans to attend college to study to become either a labor and delivery nurse or an MRI technologist. Both fields require a deep understanding of human anatomy, patient care, and technical skill.
Her creativity and focus on student well-being shine through in her idea for being principal for a day. She would organize outdoor classroom days, allowing students to learn in a different environment. "This would allow students to sit in the grass on blankets and learn a couple of days out of the year in a different environment!" she explained.
Like Henry, Biederman emphasizes the importance of family support. Her advice to parents is to "be extremely supportive at all times! Don’t be pushy and always put your child’s feelings into consideration!"
A Shared Path Toward Healthcare
A notable commonality between Henry and Biederman is their shared ambition to enter the nursing and medical technology fields. Their decisions reflect a growing interest among young people in careers centered on compassion and service. Both flight nursing and labor and delivery nursing are roles that require not only technical expertise but also a profound sense of empathy and calm under pressure.
Preparing for Demanding Careers
The students' extensive involvement in high school activities provides a strong foundation for these demanding professions.
- Teamwork: Participation in multiple team sports has taught them collaboration, communication, and reliance on others to achieve a common goal—essential skills in a hospital setting.
- Discipline: Juggling academics, multiple sports, and club leadership requires a level of discipline and time management that will be invaluable in rigorous college programs and fast-paced work environments.
- Leadership: Holding positions like NHS vice president and class secretary has given Biederman experience in organization and responsibility. Henry's role as a record-holding athlete also involves leading by example.
Their experiences at Indian Lake High School have clearly prepared them not just for higher education, but for lives dedicated to helping others. As they complete their final year, both students serve as powerful examples of what can be achieved through hard work, diverse interests, and a clear vision for the future.