Last month, we asked you to vote for your top two Senior-Student Athletes from this past school year.
This month, we are proud to unveil your scholarship semi-finalists. This time, you will vote for one of these very deserving women to receive a $500 scholarship and be featured in the June Geist Magazine with Central Indiana Orthopedics.
Ava Cousin – Lawrence North
Lawrence North High School senior Ava Cousin is not just an impressive athlete and a stellar student, but also a passionate lover of basketball. Her journey with the sport began at the age of 7 at her church. This love for the game has been a driving force in her life, leading her to continue playing through middle and high school. “My first coach was my dad, and he taught me that playing basketball should be fun,” Cousin said.
Cousin plays guard for the Lawrence North girls’ basketball team and the newly added girls’ flag football team. She says she got involved with flag football because she thought it sounded fun.
“Ava Cousin is an exemplary student-athlete, and we are immensely proud of all that she has accomplished both on and off the court,” said Stephen Thomas, girls basketball head coach. “Her strong character, leadership, and dedication serve as an inspiration to everyone around her. Ava consistently demonstrates what it means to be prepared and committed, reminding our Lawrence North girls basketball team that when you stay ready, you don’t have to get ready. Congratulations Ava. We are confident that your best is yet to come.”
Cousin’s academic prowess is equally impressive, with a 4.25 GPA and membership in the National Honor Society. Her dedication to her studies is evident in her academic achievements. She has also volunteered around the school in many capacities throughout the years, through the Lawrence North Athletic Council. She has also attended the IHSAA Student Leadership Summit. She also gives back to the community by volunteering at New Direction Church.
This fall, she wants to major in biology and pursue a career in dentistry. “I like the idea of becoming a dentist because it allows me to be my own boss,” Cousin said. “I’m able to have a successful career but also have a personal life. I also like that I’m able to transform someone’s life by helping them achieve their best smile,” she says. Her vision for her future is not just ambitious, but also inspiring.
Izzy Simonsen – Lawrence Central
Lawrence Central High School senior Isabella “Izzy” Simonsen is set up for success in more ways than one. As a four-year varsity starter for the girls’ volleyball team and standing 5 feet 9 inches, Simonsen is a force to be reckoned with on the court.
Off the court, you will find Simonsen in her other “happy” place – the stage. Having played a Dolly Parton-inspired take on the Pharaoh in last spring’s performance of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat,” Simonsen is passionate about theater.
“I’ve known I was going to be an actress for as long as I can remember,” Simonsen said. “Performing in front of people has always been my passion, whether in the living room doing impromptu dance routines or on the big stage. For me, theater is a place where I can be my authentic self and perform. My favorite thing about acting is how it allows me to fully step into someone else’s shoes and portray them in a way that brings the audience closer to not only the character, but the overall story.”
Simonsen holds leadership positions for the varsity volleyball team and the International Thespian Society. She is the speaking captain of her team and the webmaster for the Lawrence Central theater social media accounts.
On top of that, academics remain front and center. Simonsen has completed 12 A.P. courses. “I use my study halls to help me get ahead on all of my homework to make sure that I don’t fall behind with as much as I’m doing,” she said.
“I am also a member of the National Technical Honor Society [NTHS] through MCIT, the district career school, and the biomedical program/pathway offered there.”
Between the National Honor Society and NTHS, Simonsen completed a staggering 220 hours of community service. “I do this with whatever little free time I have,” she said.
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