Olivia Gotte ('18)

Why did you choose to attend LSMSA?

I considered attending when an alum, Stuart Heinen, told me about the school. When I went to Exploration Day, I was only a little skeptical. When I saw all of the educational opportunities, I knew LSMSA was what I wanted and needed to feed my hunger for knowledge. I wanted the challenge.

Was your family supportive of your decision?

My family was extremely supportive. In fact, at one point I was unsure if I really wanted to come here. I was scared of the change, but my family forced me to push through and challenge myself.

How did you learn about LSMSA?

Stuart went to my old school before coming here his junior year. He was in the marching band with me. He explained the school to me his junior year. I was sold when I was told there were no uniforms.

What do you like most about being a student at LSMSA?

I love the support system. Everyone knows this school can stress out the students, and the faculty and friends are very supportive and will help however they can.

What do you know now that you wish you had known when you first became a student at LSMSA?

When I came in, I had no idea that LSMSA students are not all crazy genius. I thought that I had to be super smart to get in. I learned that LSMSA, while it is for smart students, is just filled with normal kids who work hard to get the grades they want. I wish I know that coming in to LSMSA.

What activities are you involved with at LSMSA?

I am involved with a lot as a second year. I am a cheerleader, a dancer, academic peer mentor and student ambassador. I am also in speech and debate, Science Club, Chess Club, Future Scientist Program, Med Ex Club and more. I try to be as active as I can be.

How do you balance your school work with extracurricular activities?

It is very hard to balance these things. I have to make sure I have my priorities straight. Sometimes, I had to miss practices to make sure I got my work done and a healthy amount of sleep. Others, I had to decide whether I had time to join an extra sport or not.

What is the biggest difference between LSMSA and your home school?

The biggest difference is the work load and college-like atmosphere. Living at school and having professors that want you to succeed and learn is very different from a typical public high school. Before coming here, I made straight As without studying. I didn’t need to pay attention in class. I was not challenged.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

In 10 years, I will be 26 years old. I hope by that time I will either be almost done with med school or done and starting my future with my residency. I want to be a diagnostic radiologist, so I am hoping to be on the track to getting there.

What hobbies do you have outside of the classroom?

I dance and cheer to relieve stress. Dancing is a way to let go of my stressors and focus on my body. I also try to be involved with clubs like speech and debate and Beta. It is rare that I have a large amount of free time, but when I do, I read or spend time with friends. One thing I miss is reading for fun. With such a large work load, I rarely have time to read books of my choice any more. When I do, I cherish it.