Original article published in the Mower County Independent, Thursday, January 26, 2023. Reprinted with permission and gratitude.
By Gretchen Mensink Lovejoy
The Spring Valley Kiwanis Club has chosen Reilly Lawson as a January recipient of the Kiwanis Academic Excellence Award. She is the daughter of Heather and Thomas Lawson.
The Kingsland senior is active in several extracurricular activities, including theatre, volleyball, Key Club, National Honor Society (NHS) and drumline. “I enjoy theatre the most,” she stated. “I used to participate in student council and Builders Club when I was younger. My favorite subject in school is science, and my least favorite is math.”
Outside of school, Reilly keeps busy at work and in theatre. “I work at Kreofsky Building Supplies and Four Daughters. At both jobs, I enjoy my coworkers and the environment surrounding me. I also participate in Brave Community Theatre (BCT) for both tech and acting. In my spare time, I enjoy being with family and friends, and I also enjoy watching new movies. My favorite movie is ‘Mamma Mia,’ as I have seen it 1,000 times and it never gets old. My favorite book is ‘Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children.’”
She continued, “I listen to a lot of different music genres, but I most enjoy pop. My biggest pet peeve is when people budge in long lines. One thing people should know about me is that I hate bugs, so if you’re around me and a fly comes, you will have to kill it for me. I could always live on Chinese food, but I cannot stand Twizzlers. If I could travel to any state, I’d love to go to New York to see a Broadway show. If I could go to any country, I would love to go to Greece because the scenery is beautiful.”
Reilly most admires her parents and her drama director. “I admire my theatre director, Sarah Kohn, and both my parents who inspire me to work hard. If I could do one thing to change the world, I’d help properly dispose of the trash in the ocean to help [stop] pollution.”
The 17-year-old has plans for after her graduation this coming spring. “When I was little, I wanted to be a pediatrician to help care for kids, but after I graduate, I plan to become a forensic scientist.”
The Kiwanis will honor Reilly and her parents during the club’s Feb. 1 regular meeting. The Kiwanis Club meets at the Spring Valley Community Center each Wednesday at noon and welcomes visitors–students its membership is honoring or prospective new members.
Courtesy of the Mower County Independent, 135 E Main St. LeRoy, MN 55951, (507)-324-5325
