Burnsville Senior overcomes a tough transition

BURNSVILLE, Minn. -- Overstuffed backpack, pen and notebook at the ready, gaze firmly fixed on the instructor, Burnsville senior Megan Odom appears to be every bit the Academic All-Star we came to meet. However, when we asked Megan about her high school experience, she said something that stopped us right in our tracks..

"Oh my gosh, outright hated it. Like, sophomore year sucked", said Megan. "Not gonna be shy about that."

Ok, that's the first time we've ever heard THAT from an Academic All-Star.
Megan says she struggled with the move from junior high to high school, and credits her parents for keeping her focused on the future.

"In junior high and stuff if my parents hadn't been encouraging me to I don't know that I would have done", said Megan. "I guess it's just the idea that you can't take all of the credit yourself."

Do give Megan credit for this, she's a National Merit Finalist, and a Yale Book and Prudential Spirit of Community Award winner. Megan participates in 'Youth in Government', she's a student leader in the 'Fellowship of Christian Athletes', teaches Sunday School, and has a part-time job as a math tutor. But, again, Megan's parents made sure that school always came first.

"I know academics is a priority", sais Megan. "It's never been something secret like I know that if I'm not doing good in school I can't keep doing my extracurriculars so, sort of seek a balance and I think they've always encouraged that and it's worked out."

You could say that. Megan scored a 33 on her ACT, and a 2160 on her SAT. She carries an un-weighted 4.0 GPA, and is ranked #1 in her class. But, now comes another major transition and not only is Megan ready, but she hopes that younger students who hear her story will hang-on and know that things will get better.

Said Megan, "I've realized that it's important to take credit and help other people along the way because it's not just all about me, it's about influencing other people and you can't be shy about that."

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