Corinne Watson has seen admirable success in her high school career: The captain of White Bear Lake’s hockey team is also a pivotal member of the varsity lacrosse team and volunteer at the Autism Society of Minnesota.
But it’s her volunteering with the school district’s Transition Education Center—and their program for young adults with special needs—that defines this young star. “That’s something that I think I’d want to go into when I’m out of high school,” she says of her time spent helping the students with schoolwork. “I love hanging out with those kids, to see their faces light up when you treat them like anyone else.” She’s considering a major in speech pathology at the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire.
Another interesting aspect of Corrine’s life is that Watty, as her coaches call her, is outdoorsy. “I really care about my appearance and love curling my hair, but I also absolutely love camping and fishing and hiking,” she says. “I volunteer at the Wildlife Rehab Center in Roseville in the waterfowl room.”
And being named captain of the hockey team ranks as a big achievement in Corrine’s young career: “I love talking to the younger girls who come into the program,” she says. “That’s been good for me.”
Her words of wisdom for underclassmen? “When you believe in yourself, you can get as far as you want to, especially with hard work. That will make your high school career most memorable and successful.”
Age: 17
School: White Bear Lake Area High School
Favorites: Chocolate, TV programs Modern Family and Say Yes to the Dress, cats (she has two) and Twitter
Words to Live By: Hard work—Colossians 3:23 says “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as if you were working for the Lord and not men”; purpose—I don’t do anything without having a purpose for it; and joy—I like to find the small happinesses in things.
Discover more words of wisdom that other high school seniors live by in our annual Prep Elite feature here.
