My Story: The High School Years
I grew up in a small Iowa town where life was simple and sweet. We played outside for hours, rode our bikes all over town, explored creeks and parks, and soaked up nature. As I got older and became a teenager, I began to stretch beyond our little community, eager to see what else was out there.
I learned to drive in a robin’s egg blue VW Rabbit—stick shift, of course. I mostly have happy memories of those early driving days, except for my dad’s constant directions to "turn west" or "head east," which I never seemed to get right. Ironically, today I can find north anywhere without even thinking—so I guess all that practice paid off. We spent weekends camping, walked in parades, attended town festivals, and enjoyed the close-knit joy of small-town life.
Up until my teen years, my circle of friends was mostly from our neighborhood. But like many young people, I struggled to find where I truly belonged. Looking back, I’ve always been curious—and that curiosity has been both my superpower and my challenge. I questioned everything. I pushed limits. And yes, I was the rebellious teenager. My parents were great—steady and loving, as I tested every curfew, rule, and expectation they set.
My curiosity also helped me to try new things. In high school, I did it all: speech, drama, show choir, cheerleading, volleyball, golf—you name it. I loved it all. This wide range of activities gave me the unique gift of friendship across different groups. I never liked cliques or the idea that people had to stay in one lane. When drama flared in one friend group, I could easily shift to another.
One of the most formative experiences of high school was spending several months as a Page in the Iowa House of Representatives. At the time, I dreamed of becoming a lawyer—maybe even going into politics. It was fascinating to witness the legislative process up close. But I also came home changed. I had grown up a little too fast, working 10-12 hour days on the house floor. High school suddenly felt insignificant, and I craved something bigger. I wanted meaning and accomplishment, I also clearly learned that politics wasn’t my path.
Despite all the growing pains, my high school years were full of great memories. I was a solid student, surrounded by dedicated teachers who challenged and encouraged me. I worked at the local pizza place alongside my friends, and of course, there were plenty of adventures (and hard work!) at our family’s pumpkin farm. I often recruited friends to help during harvest—most of them didn’t love the dirt and bugs, but we made it fun anyway. I can instantly return to those days with any 80’s hair band song, especially Journey or AC/DC.
During those years, I developed a strong work ethic and began learning how to channel my curiosity in more productive ways. I also started forming a “performance identity”—believing that if I worked hard, got good grades, and did things well, I would earn love and attention. That belief would shape me for many years to come.
I’ll share more next time in My Story: The Beginning Career Years.
