Sterling March Student of the Month: Maura Scanlan

STERLING – Maura Mae Scanlan, 18, of Sterling, is one of Sterling High School’s March Students of the Month. She is the daughter of Michael and Joni Scanlan and she has two siblings, Kelsey, 25, and Joe, 22.

Favorite class: Anatomy. I love learning about the body and what is going on inside of it with every movement. A big thanks to Nicole Schlemmer for making the information fun to learn!

Least-favorite class: History. Even though I loved all my history teachers, the topic never caught my attention. Not that I do not care what my country has gone through, it's just the fact that that information does not intrigue me.

Favorite teacher: Steve Johnson, chemistry. He made coming to his class every day the enjoyable part of my day. All of his jokes and sarcasm seemed to turn a bad day into a good day. Anyone who had Mr. Johnson as a teacher would most definitely agree with me. I'll miss seeing him in the halls at SHS and yelling "Jeez!"

School activities: Tennis, basketball poms, soccer, Student Council, mentor program, National Honor Society, senior class president, and Junior Rotary.

Do you have a job? I am a waitress at Buffalo Wild Wings. The face-to-face interaction with customers is such a great experience and I am so grateful for the opportunity to work there.

Civic, church, volunteer or activities in which you participate: I also get out in the community through National Honor Society; past examples are packing food at the food pantry and painting the Reagan Home. I am a member of the First Congregational Church in Sterling.

What will you do after high school? I will attend the University of Iowa (go Hawks!) but I am undecided on my major. I am strongly considering taking the speech and hearing pathology route, specializing in early intervention.

What is something you learned in high school that you think you will never use? The fact that y=mx+b.

What kind of music are you listening to? I like a variety of music, but I am a huge fan of country. A day without country music is a day wasted, I can tell you that much.

Sports team: Cubs. I'm feeling the World Series this year. I will make sure to come back to this article when they reach that point to prove to everyone that I called it, and of course, I can't forget about my Hawkeyes.

Do you have a hobby? Watching movies, casually eating a gallon of ice cream, and being with my family.

Is there a celebrity whom you look like/act like/feel like? People say I look like Kelly Kapowski from "Saved By The Bell," but I feel like Napoleon Dynamite – I tend to not let what other people think of me bother me and am usually doing something to embarrass myself and anyone with me.

What's the one thing in your life you can't do without? Laughter, my friends, and my family;.

What is your advice for surviving high school? Be involved, make friends and memories. Saying high school goes by fast is a cliché but so true, so cherish every single moment. Don't treat high school as if it does not matter – and don't procrastinate.

What scares you? Growing up. There is too much to do, worry about, and stress about. I will be 35 and still calling up my parents to ask them what I should make for dinner and complain about what happened at work that day.

What's something about you that nobody knows? I once won a Grammy for singing in the shower.

If you could ask President Obama any question, what would it be? Do you annoy your daughters as much as my dad annoys me?

If you could try any job for a day, what would it be? Fill in for Jimmy Fallon on "The Tonight Show."

If you could go anywhere in the world for free, where would it be? Ireland. I am half Irish, and my name actually is Irish for Mary. I think people doubt the beauty in Ireland and consider it, "boring and green." I want to go and prove them wrong.

What is the last good book you read? "The 2002 Buick Regal Owner's Manual." I should probably make more time to read.

What is your proudest moment? When I was asked to be my cousin Max Grummert's godmother. Family is everything to me and I felt so honored. I felt as if I was looked up to. I will cherish that moment throughout my life and hope to forever be a role model for Max.

Who is your hero/role model? My parents are such huge role models to me — they have made me who I am today, and I hope one day I am as selfless, caring, and heartfelt as both of them. When I'm not sure what to do, I turn to the both of them right away, and they always seem to have the answer.

Is there anything else you would want people to know about you? I could live off the things in my car for a week.

Is there someone you'd like to send a shout out to? I want to give a HUGE shout out to my cousins Carver, Reese, and Max. I don't think they know how much bliss they bring into my life, and I know they will enjoy this shout out. I also couldn't forget my grandpa, Lowell Grummert. Grummert's the name, hardware's the game.

WHAT IS YOU FAVORITE ...

App? Snapchat

Food? Ice cream – for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Game or activity? Scategories

Actors? Kevin Hart and Sandra Bullock

Movie? "Elf"

TV show? "Modern Family"