The extent of Senior Ruth Sprengers’ high school career has been nothing short of involved and successful. Her dedication not only to school but also to herself has showcased her impressive leadership skills and commitment to excellence.
Ruth has been heavily involved at Prairie High School since her first day of freshman year when she began her journey in the band. She started in Jazz 2 and Symphonic playing percussion and vibraphone, specifically vibraphone in Jazz Band after first joining the band in 6th grade. She has been involved in Honors bands and has also taken the role of Advanced Jazz Band Rhythm Section Leader, Wind Ensemble Percussion Leader and Drum Major, where she leads the band for football and basketball games and in the upcoming parade in May. Her time in the band helped her meet one of her biggest mentors, the band teacher, Ryan Messling who has taught Ruth all four years. Messling has had a considerable impact on Ruth throughout each year, helping her learn and grow into the successful senior she has become. “He encourages me to try harder in my Improvisation and Jazz, and pushes me towards expression in my music and pursuing it as a career, something I owe to him,” Ruth commented.
Messling, though, hasn’t been Ruth’s only menor throughout her time in high school. Her other mentor, Claire Verity, is the director of the Drama Club, where Sprenger has put in countless hours of time and effort over the 3 years she has been a part of it, performing in numerous shows. “From drama, I’ve learned more about acceptance and embracing myself,” Ruth remarked, “I can feel completely myself and not be ashamed. I’m not afraid to try things or put myself out there or be completely weird.”. Drama has given a place for Ruth to express her truest self, something that hasn’t always been easy for her to do. “I didn’t like who I was and couldn’t feel proud of myself and constantly felt like people didn’t like me,” Ruth added. Through Drama and working on self-worth, Sprenger has grown into a powerful and confident senior, unafraid of embracing every bit of her lively personality.
ASB has also been an extremely impactful part of her high school years. She first joined ASB during 5th grade and has been a part of the club ever since, joining Prairie’s ASB class her freshman year. Throughout her time in ASB, Sprenger has led several successful events such as Trunk or Treat, dances, Spirit weeks as well as her current planning of the Spring Color Wars Assembly. Ruth has learned many valuable lessons during her time at ASB. “I’ve learned how to be patient and work with difficult people,” she explains, “as well as how to delegate tasks, something I struggled with because I usually like to do everything myself.” Delegating and prioritizing tasks, though, hasn’t only held its influence in ASB. With Ruth’s deep involvement in school, she maintains an incredibly busy schedule, making it difficult to keep up in the classroom, where she also thrives, taking 8 total AP classes, and passing every one, all while maintaining an impressive 3.95 GPA.
Ruth’s story of success and excellence will go beyond high school as she plans to attend the University of Idaho in Moscow to pursue a major in Music Composition and possibly Music business at the Lionel Hampton School of Music. “I aspire to have a hand in film one day, whether it’s directing music, writing, or acting,” Ruth adds. Messling along with Ruth holds confidence in her future, “I think Ruth is going to do great things no matter what she does because that’s just the kind of person she is.” Ruth has an exciting future ahead of her and an inspiring story that she will leave behind and Prairie.
