Abigail Roering credits her family as essential in shaping who she is today. They are a constant source of support, encouragement, and inspiration, driving her to be the best version of herself. She is so incredibly thankful for them and their reliability, understanding, and encouragement. She says, “They taught me the importance of perseverance and instilled in me a passion for excellence. Beyond that, I simply enjoy being with them, whether it's for simple evenings at home or exciting family vacations.”

Abigail's favorite class is Composition I and II with Ms. Menden. "Although the workload was intense, the education I received exceeded my expectations, helping me to not only further develop my writing skills, but also gain an awareness of the broader world through class material. Likewise, the class also provided an unexpected benefit: allowing me to discover who I am and further develop my passions through research. The findings from one research assignment in particular irreversibly set the trajectory for my future goals. In short, this class was extremely influential and has guided me as I determine my life goals."

Among her favorite teachers, Abigail wrote, "My favorite teachers are Ms. Menden and Profe Mathison. Both played an important role in my life by challenging me, not just through class material, but also by helping me gain perspective and challenge my own worldview. Their intelligence inspires me to attain academic excellence and remains a key motivating factor as I continue my educational journey."

Over the past few years, she participated in numerous activities throughout my time at Royalton High School, including Student Council, Minnesota Honor Society (MHS), YES!club, the Royal Ambassador Program (RAP), Spanish Club, Robotics, Prom Committee, Cross Country, and Track. "I enjoy staying busy, and participating in these activities has allowed me to productively fill my time with fun events while also allowing me to help others. Learning to juggle these activities has provided many benefits as well, helping me to hone my skills in time management, collaboration, and leadership, while instilling an appreciation for the work others contribute. Most prominently, my participation in these activities, particularly Student Council, RAP, and MHS, has collectively helped to reaffirm my lifelong passion for service to others. Student Council has likely been the most beneficial activity for me, as it has provided me a unique opportunity for leadership and immersion in the school's activities, opening numerous doors to new opportunities and helping me gain skills necessary for life outside of school.”

Outside of school, she split her time between work, family, and hobbies. “Work ethic is extremely important to me, and I often pick up extra shifts at my place of employment to help out. When I am not working, I turn to reading, painting, and drawing to fill my time. I especially enjoy reading, which exposes me to new ways of thinking and helps me escape reality. I also prioritize spending time with my family and helping my parents with random little projects at home.”

It’s hard for her to pinpoint a single favorite memory during her high school years, she will leave with a collection of memories and friendships she made along the way. But she does have a favorite event- the Color Run. “As a member of Student Council, MHS, and other organizations, I participate in many meaningful activities. However, the Color Run stands out as my favorite event because it brings people together in a way that not only positively impacts the community through the funds raised, but it also unites students for a fun, vibrant day. Seeing the immediate joy students experienced and the impact it had on the community made the Color Run the most rewarding event I helped organize.”

After graduation, she plans to attend the University of Minnesota Rochester (UMR), which works alongside the Mayo Clinic. This university is solely dedicated to students pursuing careers in the health science field. While attending UMR, she will act on her lifelong interest in medicine and pursue a career as a medical doctor to address the detrimental gender disparity in healthcare.

In 10 years, "I will still be in the process of becoming a medical doctor. With the training, education, and skills I gain through UMR and Mayo Clinic, my goal is to take an active role as an advocate, educator, and esteemed medical doctor. In doing so, I can combine my dedication to service while also addressing the disparity in healthcare, thereby positively impacting future generations."

Advice she leaves for high school freshmen: "Embrace challenges that push you out of your comfort zone; only then does growth happen. However, it is important to know your limits. Do not overextend yourself to the point where you must sacrifice the quality of your work or your personal well-being."