‘Failure is okay; it’s an opportunity to learn’

Payton Bunn is the daughter of Jennifer and David Bunn of Hartland; she has a twin brother, Parker, who is also graduating this year, and a younger sister, Sofie.

 

Bunn’s future plans are to attend Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, where she will be majoring in pre-medicine and general biology. In the medical field, she plans to become an anesthesiologist working in the field of hospice and palliative care.

 

During her time in school, Bunn has been selected for the National Honor Society, been a member of the cheerleading team, has served on the Captains’ Council, has competed in softball, Knowledge Bowl and TrigStar, and has been a member of Future Healthcare Professionals, the wellness committee, and the high school ambassadors. She also volunteered to lead middle school and youth cheerleading camps.

 

She has volunteered with “Feed my starving children” and assisted with food drives and toy drives. She is a certified nursing assistant.

 

Of her accomplishment of becoming a valedictorian, Bunn says “I am proud and honored. I have worked very hard for this.” She says her family is proud of her and excited for graduation day.

 

Bunn’s suggestion for younger classmates is that they find out more about participating in advanced placement, concurrent enrollment and post-secondary enrollment options offered through the school.

 

Regarding achieving a grade point average of 4.0, Bunn says, “As a freshman, I never would have imagined I would be able to achieve such a high academic honor.”

 

She believes something she will miss about high school is “getting to see my friends every day. I will also miss the sports and activities I was involved in.” Her favorite memories include Homecoming events, prom, the Spanish class trip to Costa Rica, and competing at the national level in cheerleading.

 

She says her favorite classes in high school were chemistry and trigonometry, while her least favorites were in the topic of history.

 

She names Senora Joan Olson as one of her favorite teachers because, “She is the kindest and most fun person ever. Going to Costa Rica with her was an incredible opportunity.”

 

She credits Family and Consumer Sciences teacher Kelly Delacruz with providing “my safe space,” and thanks her for having “the biggest heart.” Bunn says former NRHEG math teacher Susan Schaub “renewed my love of learning and is my biggest cheerleader.” She expresses her gratitude to science teacher Tyler Macha who “made chemistry fun and is an incredible teacher.”

 

Looking ahead to next fall, Bunn says she is excited about “jumping into my career, getting experience in the operating room, and traveling the world.” In ten years, she hopes to be working as a doctor completing her anesthesia residency.

 

Given the chance to travel back in time and offer advice to herself as a freshman, Bunn would say “Failure is okay; it’s an opportunity to learn.”

 

Of her career at NRHEG, she reflects “High school has been full of ups and downs, but I will be forever grateful for the knowledge, memories and friendships it has given me.”