Emily Carrillo Arzapalo. Photos: Chris Emeott
Meet five high school seniors making a difference in their community.
Each year, schools across the Valley nominate incoming seniors who stand out in a variety of ways. It’s a highlight of the year for our magazine staff as we get to know some spectacular students who have pushed through adversity to pursue their dreams, leaving positivity and joy in their wake. We are so impressed with this group of seniors from the class of 2025—all trailblazers in their own right. Readers, I hope these young voices bring you as much hope for the future as they did for us.
Emily Carrillo Arzapalo
Stillwater Area High School
“Emily has consistently displayed remarkable leadership qualities throughout her time at Stillwater Area High School [SAHS]. Whether it was organizing events or representing the student body through her involvement in the Student Council, Emily has shown a natural ability to inspire and motivate others … Beyond her academic, club and extracurricular achievements, Emily is simply an extraordinary human being. Emily embodies the qualities of a true leader and role model, inspiring those around her. Her amazing persona and commitment to [SAHS] students and community have earned her the respect and admiration of both students and staff alike.” —Cornelius Rish, equity specialist, and Andrea Schueler, AVID and English teacher
For Emily, legacy and heritage are at the heart of success. When asked about an experience that has shaped who she is today, Emily’s response is: “When my parents tell me how proud of me they are.” Whether her parents are watching her play volleyball, run for Student Council or be recognized for her academic achievements, Emily says their presence and pride motivates her to pursue her dreams. “If it wasn’t for my parents, I believe that my life would look a lot different,” Emily says. “Doing all that I have had the opportunity to do as a first-generation student and knowing all the sacrifices that my parents made for my siblings and I [is] why I strive to be better everyday. My parents single-handedly have shaped me to be the driven person that I am, and I do it all for them.”
During her time at SAHS, Emily has helped found the school’s first ever Latinx Student Union, where she serves as president. She is also active in Student Council and Student Leadership Council and is co-president of the school’s new club, BIPOC Union. “I am most proud of how I created a voice for myself to where I can speak up for others who cannot always necessarily do so,” Emily says.
In academics, Emily has been on the honor roll for multiple terms at SAHS and at college through PSEO. Her dream is to attend a university and pursue a career in either teaching or sports medicine. “I hope to make a difference in any way that I can by using my leadership skills to the most of my abilities,” she says.
All-time favorite song: Fine Line by Harry Styles
Currently watching and reading: Gilmore Girls and The Office are my comfort shows. Book: Beach Read
Pick a superpower: Teleportation!
Go-to local hangout: Grabbing a bite and going to Target or the animal shelter to play with all the dogs.
Ian Witt
Hudson High School
“Ian is a perfect representative for our school. Besides exuding school pride, he is a model for being kind, helping his peers and sharing his experiences … Ian is a bright light that shares a greeting, high five or thumbs up with anyone he meets. He is extremely thoughtful and compassionate and can be relied on to lend a helping hand whenever a need arises. Despite having a disability and finding it harder to do some of the things that his nondisabled peers do, Ian has never given up or shied away from a challenge or activity. In schoolwork, he tries his hardest and has never used his disability as an excuse not to do his best. Ian is a true leader and advocate who takes pride in educating others about his disability and his many abilities.” —John Dornfeld, counselor
One of Ian’s greatest joys is hockey, and his love of the sport inspired the creation of Hudson Hockey, a program that helps those of all abilities find their home on the ice. (You might have seen him on the cover of our December/January issue.) He is also an active participant in Respect Choir and Rhinestone Raiders, a dance group focused on awareness and inclusion that promotes school spirit at pep rallies, special events and respect outings throughout the district.
We connected with Ian’s mom, Lisa Witt, to learn more about the experiences that have shaped him. Witt shares that her son says he is “most proud of his effort and determination as an athlete,” adding that his experience playing on a hockey team “inspired him to believe in himself enough to try out for the next level of hockey.”
Ian and Witt often speak at schools, businesses and organizations about how Down syndrome has impacted their family with the hope to improve understanding and acceptance of—and promote greater opportunities for—individuals with disabilities.
In the future, Ian plans to attend college (to become a teacher) and have his own house with friends.
All-time favorite song: Fireball by Pitbull
Currently watching: ESPN Sports
Pick a superpower: The ability to have laser beams shoot from his eyes.
Go-to local hangout: Hudson Tap
Tanishka Singh
St. Croix Preparatory Academy
“Tanishka always strives to excel. Her determination and relentless effort to transcend [have] led her to be successful in both athletics and academics. Through the tough times, she always finds a way to flourish.” —Hallie Gallmeier, track and field coach and teacher
Since she was young, Tanishka has hoped to make a difference. And, now she is.
At St. Croix Preparatory Academy (SCPA), Tanishka serves as co-president of Girls of Active Leadership Club and Service Club and as co-director of the Discussions on Diversity club. She says her involvement in the latter has brought her a greater sense of pride in her multi-cultural identity. “Being a second-generation Indian-American, I can finally say that I feel pride in learning how to implement both my identities into my life,” Tanishka says. “Knowing that I had struggled to strike a balance or feel like I fit in throughout my childhood, it is rewarding to look back and say that I am now able to appreciate both sides of my culture.”
An accomplished varsity athlete in soccer and track, Tanishka holds the school record in the 4×100 and 4×200 relays in track, where she serves as captain. Tanishka is a member of National Honors Society and chaired her school’s blood drive. She also represents the student body as a representative at the SCPA Foundation. Outside of school, Tanishka is a passionate pianist and gives lessons to children. She has also spent time volunteering independently in rural hospitals in India.
Tanishka credits her upbringing for her focus and determination. “Growing up with a single mother working as a doctor meant learning to be independent and mature from a young age, but it also taught me the importance of hard work and dedication,” she says.
Tanishka has maintained a top GPA in her class and has been on the honor roll throughout high school. She received a varsity letter in service in 9th and 10th grades for having more than 100 service hours. Most recently, she received a National Security Language Initiative for Youth scholarship from the U.S. Department of State and spent this summer in Turkey, taking intensive language classes and pursuing experiential learning opportunities.
In the future, Tanishka hopes to pursue a career in medicine or law. “I trust my ambition to guide me to follow my curiosity and bring change,” Tanishka says.
Favorite song: Good Days by SZA
Currently watching: Gilmore Girls
Pick a superpower: Teleportation.
Go-to hangout: Hudson Pier Beach and St. Croix River Crossing Loop Trail
Sawyer Redfield
Stillwater Area High School
“Academically speaking, [Sawyer] does all the ‘right’ things we as educators hope for. He completes his work on time, asks questions, helps others and positively contributes to the classes he is in. As educators, a primary goal of ours is not just ensuring he does all the academic pieces, but that he also has a clear path and understanding for plans post-high school. Sawyer has taken initiative in this way and is steering his own ship! He found an apprenticeship opportunity and has partnered with us at school to make the apprenticeship a reality while still getting his high school education. We are working with him to create a pilot program for what this could look like for other students … It’s been a win-win all around and is a great example of what we hope to create for other students.” —Bob Manning, career pathways coordinator, and Sydney Piras, counselor
At SAHS, Sawyer is literally redefining what high school can be. With the help of the school staff, he is getting a head start on his career through an apprenticeship at Aquarius Home Services, where he is working toward a water treatment certification. The goal? To eventually get his plumbing license.
“[The apprenticeship] allows me to gain on-the-job training while still attending school,” Sawyer says. “This consists of attending school for the first two classes and then driving to work. After work, I head home and finish my school day with three online classes. It is a very busy schedule, but I believe it will be well worth it in the end.”
In his free time, Sawyer enjoys anything mechanical and is restoring a Chevrolet Camaro with his brother. Other passions include baseball, fishing, hunting, snowboarding and snowmobiling—many of which came as a result of spending time at his family’s cabin on Lake Vermilion. “Experiencing nature with the peace and serenity Up North has shown me new hobbies and activities I enjoy,” Sawyer says. “I became more invested in fishing and snowmobiling because of the many trips we take. I also enjoy the ability to spend quality time with my family at the cabin.”
Favorite song: Bad Luck by Zach Top or Everything Under the Sun by Waylon Wyatt
Currently watching: Vice Grip Garage (a YouTube series about restoring classic cars)
Pick a superpower: Teleportation.
Go-to hangout: Repairing cars with friends
Sydney Vue
Hudson High School
“Sydney is a leading voice for equity and inclusion in [Hudson High School]. She is willing to speak up about issues around racism and will also speak out for others who are reluctant to say anything. She is passionate, positive, energetic, loyal and caring. Sydney is currently working on a years-long research project about how to use education as a [preventive] tool against sexual assault. This is less of an academic assignment for her and more like a mission she is on to make our world a safer place for young people.” —John Dornfeld, counselor
Sydney has dedicated her time in high school to advocating and uplifting her peers. As a leader of Diversity Club and the Diversity Day program, Sydney has helped foster understanding and conversation at Hudson High School. “I set my passion and heart to … spreading awareness of different subjects, including: diversity, inclusivity, sexual assault, racism and many more,” Sydney says. “I’m proud of my ability to be a voice and an outlet for my peers at my school to speak up [about] these subjects.”
At her school, Sydney is involved in Student Council and Student Voices. She also plays football in a St. Paul Hmong recreational league in her free time.
Each day, Sydney writes a letter to spread kindness. Some go to a teacher or janitor, and others go to near strangers. The goal, Sydney says, is to “tell them how appreciative I am of them and how worthy they are to be here.”
COVID-19 stands out to Sydney as an experience that has shaped her and led her to embrace the unknown. “In life, change is inevitable and is something that needs to happen to progress,” she says, adding that she now looks to use difficult moments as motivation. “Mindset is everything.”
Looking ahead, Sydney is hopeful for not just the “checkpoints in life” like college and homeownership—but that she will be able to make a difference in the lives of others. “I am a proud Hmong woman, and my goals are to teach kids who look different or come from different backgrounds to learn and know they have hope and they can strive for big goals,” she says. “I want to be a speaker and advocate for [those] who feel lost, left out and different … I want to be able to help kids understand themselves better.”
Favorite song: Vienna by Billy Joel
Currently watching: Ben 10
Pick a superpower: Warping time and space.
Go-to hangout: Kwik Trip and Target.
