Lydia Gerike is a straight-A eighth-grader at Willowcreek Middle School. She currently is president of the National Junior Honor Society and student council. She is also involved in drama club, the newspaper, eXXcel (a science club for girls), and the math academic team. She also plays the cello for the school’s orchestra.
During her free time, she is a dancer for Civic Dance Center. Her favorite discipline is jazz, but she is excited to have just made pointe. She practices at the center five days a week. Her parents, Kristine and Brian, are very proud of her.
“She is a very good girl at home," said Kristine Gerike. "She keeps us very busy.” Mom knows that all of these experiences are just getting her ready for “real life.”
When asked about her future, Lydia said: “I would like to go into politics and law.”
She also has a passion for writing. The upcoming talent show will feature her original monologue. She is excited to be moving on to high school, but before she heads that direction she gets to experience a day as a middle school principal. That’s right, she will get to take Michelle Stewart’s place for the upcoming Teacher in Training day.
“Lydia is an impressive young lady,” said Stewart. "She is an exceptional student; but more than that she has a confidence and maturity far beyond her years. I watched as she spoke before a large crowd at a recent School Board meeting regarding the Washington, D.C., trip she participated in. Her poise and ability to speak under that scrutiny was a wonderful thing to observe. I see an incredible future for this young woman both at Portage High School and beyond."
This Kiwanis Student Spotlight is provided by the Portage Kiwanis Club and the Portage Parent Network to recognize students in Portage Township Schools.