Dixon High School December Student of the Month: Madeline Blackbourn

Madeline May “Maddie” Blackbourn, 17, of Dixon is Dixon High School’s December Student of the Month. Her parents are Brian Blackbourn and Darla Pearson, and she has two sisters, Emma Blackbourn and Ellia Pearson.

Favorite class: The most interesting class I took was medical biology, but my favorite class at this point in the school year is probably AP literature.

Least-favorite class: I enjoy all of my classes that I am enrolled in; however, I did struggle with geometry my sophomore year.

Favorite teacher: Dave Stanley. He taught AP United States history my junior year. Despite being a difficult class, he was able to make it fun and intriguing.

School activities in which you participate: Cheerleading, class officers, Student Council, Building Lasting Impressions that Never Die, newspaper and yearbook.

Civic, church, volunteer or activities in which you participate: Tools for School, Reagan Run goodie bags and water stand, Ripple FX cancer fundraiser, Rockin' on the Rock, Dixon Junior Dukes assistant cheer coach (sixth grade), Petunia Fest pancake tent, and Goodfellows golf outing and dinner.

Do you have a job? I work at the Dixon YMCA as a lifeguard and I teach swim lessons.

How would you describe your group of friends? I am so grateful for all my friends. We understand one another and are very supportive of one another's accomplishments. I don't know where I would be today without them.

What will you do after high school? I will attend St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa, and study occupational therapy, and I hope to get my doctoral degree in that field. I also plan to try out for St. Ambrose's dance team.

What is something you learned in high school that you think you'll never use? I believe that high school helps you prepare for your future after you graduate, so in my opinion there is not much you don't use.

What kind of music are you listening to? Billie Eilish.

What's one thing in your life you can't do without? Books.

What is your advice for surviving high school? Don't dwell on the little things, it will stress you out and make your high school experience a negative one. Focus on the positives and be aware of how your actions affect you and those around you.

If you could change one thing about your school, what would it be? Dixon High School would have its own multipurpose sports facility.

What scares you? I am not a fan a spiders, even though most of the time they are harmless.

If you could try any job for the day, what would it be? I would be a professional skydiver. I always thought it would be fun to be a thrill seeker and jump out of a plane.

If you could go anywhere in the world for free, where would it be? I would want to travel throughout Europe.

What is a good book you have read recently? I am currently reading the "Odyssey" by Homer.

What is your proudest moment? Reconstructing the school newspaper to help address the real-world issues teenagers face throughout high school. Each month we focus on a different topic. This was accomplished with the help of Juliana Rotella, my co-editor-in-chief, and Michelle Bally, our adviser and teacher.

Who is your hero/role model? I don't have just one, there have been many great people I've encountered throughout my life and I try to put all of their good qualities together and strive to be like them.

What do you think your life will be like 10 years from now? I hope to have a steady job with a set income and possibly my own dog.

Is there anything else you want people to know about you? I am a competitive dancer at S&R Dance in Freeport. Every year we attend four competitions and every other year we go to nationals in the Wisconsin Dells. My dance teachers, Nikki Spinden-Meagher and Janelle Van Wassenhove, encourage me to give it my all and have helped shaped me into the person I am today.

What is your life's philosophy? Go for it, you will never know what could've happened, if you never tried.

Shout out to: My family, for always supporting me and encouraging me to make my dreams become a reality. My sister Emma has always been there for me, even if we are not getting along. I would also like to thank Mrs. Munson for letting my friends and I spend the mornings before school in her classroom. I will miss all those fun times we had.

What is your favorite ...

App? Netflix

Food? Popcorn

Game or activity? Phase 10

Movie? "Harry Potter"

TV show? "Criminal Minds"