MFL MarMac’s top students reflect on high school careers

By Audrey Posten | Times-Register

Quinn McGeough and Rachel Erickson are co-valedictorians and Abby Troester and Mackenzie Bachman co-salutatorians of the MFL MarMac class of 2025.

The four weren’t surprised to see so many high performing students in their class.

“Our class has always shown, since middle school, that we’ve had a lot of students that strive for success in their academics,” Bachman said.

“It’s obviously a really good reflection of our class,” McGeough added. “I think there’s a lot of really smart people in this grade and a lot of good, hard workers. I know this class is going to do a lot of good things and I’m proud to be a part of it.”

For McGeough, being a top student has been a goal since his freshman year. 

“I knew that it was possible and I knew I was capable of doing it,” he said. “I’m glad I reached it.”

Bachman was inspired by her older sister Kaylee, who was valedictorian.

“I’m really glad that I earned this, especially because I’m really involved. I’ve been able to balance both,” Bachman shared.

Erickson and Troester are proud too.

“It feels good to be recognized for all the work that I put in to the classes, especially the college classes that are harder,” reflected Erickson.

“It’s a goal I’ve been working toward,” Troester added, “but it also means more to me than just being recognized for academics. It shows my resilience.”

The seniors credited their parents, as well as MFL MarMac staff, for helping them succeed.

For Troester, teachers have made MFL MarMac more than learning. It’s like a family.

“Everyone has been so helpful, and you’re encouraged to ask for help. They’re willing to accommodate and help you succeed,” she said.

“What’s going to stick with me the most is not just what I learned in the classroom, but the environment and how much fun school can be outside of just learning,” noted McGeough. 

Staff encourage students to get involved and support them in all their activities.

“[Principal] Mr. Meyer always tells people to be involved, and even though it’s a cliché thing, it’s truly meaningful,” Bachman said. “I think it’s really cool, as a small school, that kids have the opportunity to be involved and do everything. Because of being involved in so many activities, I got to meet a lot of different people. I think it was really important for me to see how different people interact and how they do things and it helped me read people better. That has helped me grow as a person.”

Teachers have also prepared students well for life after high school, according to Erickson. She and the others commended the option to take college classes through the school’s partnership with Northeast Iowa Community College. Many classes are taught in person by MFL MarMac teachers. The opportunity eases the future college course load and financial burden.

“It has taught me responsibility and to advocate for myself and ask questions when I need help,” Erickson said.

“They do a good job at teaching independence and responsibility,” agreed Troester.

Some classes and teachers stood out to the students.

McGeough fondly recalls taking introduction to philosophy with now retired superintendent Dale Crozier as a sophomore. The class was his first with upperclassmen and he said it was a lot of fun.

“Dr. Crozier had a big influence on me and that class really opened my mind up to a lot of different ideas. Also, it was a collegiate level class, and that was my first experience with that. It was a good transition from regular classes into collegiate level classes,” he explained.

Erickson enjoyed math, as well as English with Mrs. Brandi Olson, who she said taught a lot of good things and was always caring. History teacher Mr. Adam Simon made class fun. 

Troester appreciated a sophomore year concurrent college class called child psychology. It included a visit to the daycare and elementary school, a plus for Troester, who enjoys working with kids.

“I also enjoyed all the courses I’ve taken with [math teacher] Mrs. Rothmeyer and [English teacher] Mrs. O’Brien, because I like their style of teaching and they show that they care a lot,” she added.

Bachman’s favorite class was public speaking with Mrs. Angie Killian. Students prepared and delivered speeches, a change from more regimented classes with tests and homework.

“I think it helped that I did speech before that, but I really liked it because I like communications. I’m going to either minor or major in communications in college, so I think that sparked a lot of love and interest for communications,” she said. 

Similar to Troester, Bachman also forged strong connections with Mrs. Diane Rothmeyer. 

“She’s really good about making personal connections and making sure we all learned the topics we need to learn,” she said.

Outside academics, all four were involved in extra-curricular activities or in their communities.

McGeough has participated in baseball, wrestling, football and golf, as well as speech, National Honor Society, student council and Students Opposed to Drugs and Alcohol (SODA). 

Bachman was active in wrestling, soccer and dance, in addition to National Honor Society, FFA, SODA, speech, FBLA and choir. She previously participated in volleyball and show choir. Bachman helps with the school’s student-run Bulldog Brew coffee shop, teaches Wednesday night religion classes and volunteers through wrestling.

“I would say I’ve done almost everything that this school has offered for me. I try to be involved in almost everything I can,” she said.

Erickson’s focus was on her classes, particularly all the college classes she had. 

“But I also volunteered a lot. I got 400 hours,” she stated. “It was mostly for my church, helping the community that way.”

Due to being hospitalized frequently throughout her high school career, Troester said she was unable to be involved in as many extra-curriculars as she would have liked, “but I spent most of my free time volunteering at the local animal shelter, public library and elementary school and making cards for healthcare workers.”

All the valedictorians and salutatorians plan to continue their education after high school.

After finding a love for math, physics and chemistry, McGeough will pursue mechanical engineering at Iowa State University. 

Erickson will attend NICC to obtain her paralegal degree. 

“My parents gave me the idea of becoming a paralegal and it was always interesting to me to be in the law field,” she said.

Troester will head to the University of Iowa for a bachelor of science degree in nursing, with hopes of becoming a registered nurse in the pediatric or neonatal specialty. 

“I initially thought I wanted to be a teacher because the teachers here have made such an impact,” she said, “and then I kind of turned to nursing after I was in the hospital.”

Bachman, too, will attend the University of Iowa. She will major in biology and minor in communications, but acknowledged that may change as she pursues a career in medical sales or healthcare administration. 

“That comes from my passion for speaking and communications, and I’ve always wanted to be in the health care field, so I’m intrigued by the medical sales aspect because then I’m working with hospitals and doctors and people,” she explained.

All are busy working on their graduation speeches, where the fond memories and wisdom they impart will hopefully leave a lasting impact on their classmates.

Erickson wants her fellow seniors to remember her for her kindness.

“And always being nice,” she added.

Troester wants to be acknowledged for her compassion.

“I was always willing to listen,” she said.

McGeough hopes he stood out as being helpful.

“I hope they would remember me as the person they could ask for help with something and I would be willing to help them with it, whatever subject, or even if it wasn’t anything to do with school,” he said.

Bachman believes her positivity shines through. 

“I’m very extroverted, so I really hope my classmates look back at me and remember me as someone who was that positive leader and role model throughout this building. That was something that’s really important to me, to leave that positive impact on someone, and to know that I was really hardworking and put 100 percent into everything I’ve done,” she reflected.

MFL MarMac graduation is Sunday, May 18, at 2 p.m., in the high school gym. View the graduation section inside this week’s edition to learn more about the class of 2025.