Hastings High School senior Amber Keller was honored by the Hastings Rotary at its Thursday, March 21 meeting as the February Student of the Month.
Keller was nominated for the honor by Language Arts teacher Kari Jaeger.
Jaeger, in the nomination, praised Keller for always wanting to help others.
“Amber is mature and motivated. She consistently looks for ways to use her abilities to help others. This varies from organizing community fundraisers to being a student leader in Spanish Honors Society. Amber’s maturity is evident in the classroom as well.”
Jaeger said, “She speaks honestly and thoughtfully, isn’t afraid to show her vulnerability and uses her voice to promote understanding and justice.”
Other students look up to Keller.
“Amber’s integrity not only makes her a great person, but it also makes her an excellent leader because her peers and advisors admire and respect her,” said Jaeger. “In addition to being a Link Leader, she is also in Riverside and was selected for Honors Choir. Amber is passionate about singing and dancing and it shows when you see her perform.”
“Amber is a critical reader and an exceptional writer, but her greatest attributes as a student are her curiosity and initiative,” said Jaeger, noting her high grade point average coupled with a course load full of college credits.
Keller plans to attend the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire in the fall and will start as a freshman with about a semester’s worth of college credits under her belt.
She is a member of the National Honor Society as well and was selected for the All-Conference Choir this year.
Outside of school, she dances at Jan’s School of Dance and “dabbles in songwriting,” she said.
“I have always been very passionate about music and performing because it allows me to share a side of myself that many people don’t get to see daily,” she told the Rotarians.
She plans to double major in Spanish and Journalism, with a minor in music.
“My hope for the future is to become a political journalist,” she said. “Our country has so many remarkable aspects, and my goal is to help educate others about our government system and give people an outlet who may be scared to get involved. I also intend to continue writing music, because it is a love that I will always have.”
Hastings Superintendent Dr. Tamara Champa commented, “At a time when we hear a lot about the negative and the environment that we’re in, we can have confidence in the good things that are happening, because, Amber, you’re testament to that. We couldn’t be more excited and happy for you.”
“I’d just like to say congratulations on behalf of the school board,” ISD #200 Board Chair Carrie Tate said. “It’s always amazing to hear all the things that these wonderful kids are up to.”
