Co-valedictorians worked hard for the distinction
SOCIAL DISTANCING — NRHEG High School’s 2020 co-valedictorians Alexandra Combs, left, and Jayna Domeier practice proper social distancing. (Star Eagle photo by Melanie Piltingsrud)
Combs always kept an eye on her grades
By MELANIE PILTINGSRUD
Staff Writer
Lexi Combs, the daughter of Lisa Combs, is co-valedictorian with Jayna Domeier this year at NRHEG High School.
Winning valedictorian was not a complete surprise to Combs. “I have always kept an eye on my grades and did my best to ensure they were all A's,” she says. “When it came time to announce the valedictorians, I knew I had been at a 4.0 GPA throughout high school. I was working toward becoming valedictorian. Somewhere along the way, it became a goal of mine. I've always strived for a 4.0 GPA.”
Combs is candid about her struggle to study consistently. “Honestly, I don't have the best study habits,” she says. “For my College Chemistry final last year, I would study anywhere from three hours to eight hours straight. My best habit, though, is I don't wait to study, because I find that cramming really doesn't work for me.
“Studying has become much more challenging because of the stay-at-home order,” Combs continues. “It can be difficult to motivate myself to study when everything is so different than I'm used to it being.”
Combs had a great support system built in during her high school career. She says, “My teachers, friends, and family were always providing me with encouragement and support. My teachers were always there if I ever had a question or [if I] were unsure about how to approach an assignment. Jayna Domeier, one of my best friends and co-valedictorian, was also a great motivator. Ever since we became friends, we have challenged, competed with, and helped one another.
Combs was involved in One Act Play, Concert Choir, Solo/Ensemble Contest, Honor Choir, Speech, the musical, Knowledge Bowl, Readers' Theatre, Colorguard, and Drama Club.
Her favorite subject throughout high school was always English. “Though, last year, I also really enjoyed college chemistry,” she adds.
Did she have a favorite teacher? “It's difficult to choose just one teacher, because so many have made such a huge impact on my life. If I had to choose one, though, I would say Mrs. Amanda Inouye. I would choose her for several reasons: I was her teacher's assistant for two years; she directed the One Act Play, which I was a part of for five years; she taught College Chemistry--a course that challenged and intrigued me; and, over the years, her classroom became somewhat of a haven from the chaos and stress of school. Without her, I truly don't believe I would be on the path I am on.”
Combs says she will miss the everyday interactions with her0 friends and teachers. “I think most of us take little conversations and seemingly insignificant exchanges for granted,” says Combs. “Yet these are what build relationships. I'm going to miss seeing and talking [with] the people I have known and admired for so many years.”
Combs plans to attend Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter. “I plan to major in theater and minor in music,” she says, “and am considering a double-major in secondary education, with an emphasis in English. My ideal career would be directing or stage managing, but I have recently been considering teaching English and drama as a backup.”
Combs says she would love to be able to follow through on summer plans she has made with friends and family. “My group of friends and I were planning on taking a trip together, possibly to Duluth,” she says. “Typically, my family takes a vacation after someone has graduated, so I would love to go on a trip, possibly to New York City, the Grand Canyon, or Universal Studios. Aside from traveling, I would love to have my graduation party and keep working.
“The year coming to a close during the pandemic has been very different for me as a senior,” says Combs. “I feel like the younger grades are not experiencing the same kind of grief that I and my classmates are feeling, and, instead, are treating this time as though summer has come early. The end of senior year is meant to give some kind of closure to the twelve years of your life spent at school, however, I fear the class of 2020 may not be able to experience that.”
Combs advice to underclassmen would be to cherish every moment, because it really does go by faster than you think. “On one hand, I feel as though my first day of high school was just last week,” says Combs. “Yet on the other hand, I know I have grown and evolved throughout my four years at NRHEG, and that I am definitely not the same person I was as a freshman. Allow yourself to change, keep your friends close, and never take this time for granted.“
Domeier achieves long-time goal
By MELANIE PILTINGSRUD
Staff Writer
Jayna Domeier, the daughter of Mark and Michelle Domeier, says it was her goal since freshman year to become valedictorian. “But I knew that it would take a lot of hard work to achieve this,” she says. “I worked very hard throughout my years in high school to become the valedictorian.”
Domeier had consistent, social study habits. “I would work in study groups with some friends after school and on weekends before a test,” she says, “so that we could all help each other understand concepts and get different perspectives on how to solve problems.” It is not surprising, therefore, that Domeier found it a little more difficult to stay motivated to work ahead on her assignments during the stay-at-home order.
“My teachers provided a lot of encouragement for me reaching this goal,” says Domeier of becoming valedictorian. “They would always push me to do better and continue to learn new things. My friends were also always there to help me achieve this, being there to bounce ideas off of and to make sure I stayed on task when working on difficult assignments.”
Besides being a teacher’s assistant, Domeier was involved in concert band, marching band, jazz band, basketball, softball, knowledge bowl, student council, National Honor Society, prom committee and Trig Star.
Domeier's favorite subject was band. “Mr. Otstot was my favorite teacher,” says Domeier, “because he always encouraged me to be the best that I could be and was always there to help me whenever I needed it, no matter the time or situation.”
Domeier says that what she will miss most about high school are her friends, whom she plans to hang out with as much as possible this summer, in between working to save up money for college.
She also hopes to help with the marching band this season, “If it isn’t completely canceled due to the pandemic,” she says.
This fall, Domeier plan to attend Winona State University to major in Music Education.
According to Domeier the pandemic heightened the emotions seniors feel at this time. “It was disappointing to not be able to spend my last few months of high school with my classmates and getting to do the many senior activities we had planned for this time,” she says.
Domeier's advice to underclassmen is, “Don’t take this time for granted. Enjoy high school as much as you can, and don’t be afraid to try something new, like joining a club or activity that has piqued your interest. This is your chance to start figuring out who you are, so take advantage of the opportunities given to you.”