Tell us a little about your family – parents, siblings, pets, etc.
I’m the youngest of a family of five: my mom – Jackie Loija, my dad – Jeff Helriegel, and my two older siblings – Rieley and Makayla Mullen. We’ve had wide variety of pets throughout the years: 4 dogs, 1 cat, several rabbits, 2 Fiddler crabs, and countless fish. We’ve lost all but one of that herd of animals and that would be my dog, Duke. He’s very playful and sweet but he’s afraid of almost everything so it’s hard to get him to sit still.
What are some of your hobbies and/or interests?
I’m really into video games but whenever I’m in the non-digital world you can find me running, drawing, reading, studying trees, camping, hiking, playing guitar or trombone, and/or playing what my friends like to call ‘old man games’ like sudoku, crossword puzzles, and solitaire.
Tell us about a favorite school memory (any grade)
A favorite school memory is doing the Lip Sync Battle last year. It was wild and it marked a turning point in how I approach life. That moment was the hammer that cracked open my shell and launched me into a new take on life, a take to live it and not just exist in it.
Tells us about a favorite teacher, coach, school staff member, etc. who made a difference in your life/education (can include more than one and any grade).
Mrs. Olson, my band teacher, was the person who sparked my love for music and made me realize that there’s more to high school than simply existing in a classroom for four years. Without Mrs. Olson and her classes I don’t think that I’d still have the friends I have, be the person I am today, or be on the same path to become a music teacher. I can’t thank her enough for the impact she’s had on my life.
What has been your favorite subject to study in school and why?
As terrible as I am at it, I had a lot of fun with math, mainly because of how satisfying it was to get the right answer. With other subjects like English, art, and music the ‘right’ answer is highly subjective and not entirely clear but with math and science there IS a definite answer and boy is it satisfying to get it right.
What has been the most challenging part of senior year for you?
Time. I have so much I want to do and only so much time to do it. Being in so many organizations and activities means you have to commit to a lot and also make sacrifices for one or the other.
What has been the best part of senior year?
Playing my guitar in front of the whole school during homecoming week. I find it unbelievable enough that I managed to get on the homecoming ballot but actually WINNING?! That week I felt on top of the world and to hear the entire school singing and clapping and cheering with and for me all the while waving their flashlights in the air. It felt like a dream.
Have you made any plans for after graduation (additional schooling, work, etc.) and if so, what are they?
I’ve been admitted in UW Eau Claire where I hope to pursue an degree in music education to become a music teacher but, alas, I didn’t make the cut for the music program. In January I’ll be auditioning again and if I don’t make it then I’m going to switch directions entirely and pursue an education in natural conservation in order to become a conservation officer.
Where do you see yourself in 5, 10 years? What goals do you have for the future?
In 5-years I hope to be working on either a cargo ship, a ranch, or as a fire watch lookout before I enter my life as an educator. In 10-years I hope to have already started my education career, as a public high school band teacher, where I’ll help with local theatre activities as well as the local Lions Club.
Tell us a one or two dreams/bucket list items you have for yourself
I’d like to win some kind of political office in my life, I don’t know how big or small of a position it will be but I’d like to help conduct some change in our world. I’d also absolutely love to join a boxing gym and fight in at least one boxing match. Boxing is such an interesting sport and I’d love to learn more about it.
Are there any classmates who made a positive difference in your life/education that you would like to mention?
Michael Edlund, Georgia Morris, Jadyn Rust, Jonah Overby, Nikki Rempel, Adrianna Pintok, and Lint Biers are by far my closest friends. They were of the few people that gave me a chance in middle school and helped me slowly break open my shell and drag me out of my dark depressive hole that I had dug for myself. For that I am so grateful for them, my friends.
What are some things you like about our city of Big Lake in general?
The people: from neighbors, to friends, to walkers and bikers that wave to you as they go by. It’s the people of Big Lake who truly make this town what it is. Take for example, the ‘Bike Man’. Ron Skoog, rest his soul, dedicated his life to Big Lake’s service: from policing to fixing bikes he was forever a servant of the people. Another name I’d like to give attention to is Bill Blackhurst. Bill was, and still is, one of the best public servants Big Lake has. Through his work with the local boy scout troop our scouts have been able to learn and do so much thanks to his guidance whilst aiding and benefitting countless others. These two shining examples of community service are passing on the torch and I say we should take it and run with it, do what they did and more. The better we are as a people the better our city will be.
What Big Lake establishments/businesses/restaurants are your favorites?
Cambo Flare, the new-ish Asian fusion restaurant on the edge of town has some of the best Asian food I’ve ever had, and that’s no exaggeration. I’d get them to cater my grad-party if they did do catering.
What advice would you give younger students as they continue their education?
Don’t underestimate the value of each year you spend here. This is your time to find yourself. So, experiment, take an art class, a FACS class, apply yourself, give a sport a shot or other extracurricular a shot. You get what you put into life, if you don’t do anything you’re going to get nothing. I spent nearly all of my scholarly life, K-12, doing nothing, just sitting in class waiting for the day to be over and, believe it or not, that kind of lifestyle only brought me sadness and loneliness, I tried to kill myself twice. But only when I decided to start applying myself and try different things, did I find happiness, friendship, and even love. Life is too short and high school is even shorter, so make the most of both.
