Senior Emily Swenson is virtually any teacher's dream student in this tiny Benson County community.
She excels in subjects like speech, music and drama.
And she does it as a rather quiet and unassuming youngster, according to school officials.
“She's really a sharp girl,” says Mike Callahan, one of the school's administrators.
“She works hard, carries a big load and is a really, really good student.”
Emily's status as a student is reflected in her GPA – a rather gaudy 3.9.
She says school doesn't necessarily come easily for her. She has to work at some subjects, while others come a bit easier.
She has developed a strong work ethic through living on a farm near Sheyenne and from the encouragement of her parents, Neil and Liz Swenson.
Neil is a former basketball player from Sheyenne.
“They push me and encourage me, and I always appreciate that,” Emily says.
With her outstanding academic background, Emily has plans to head for North Dakota State University in Fargo next year.
Her life on the farm kindled a real love for animals, and she's hoping to parlay that into a career.
She wants to be a vet tech.
