Rylie Steinkamp

10th Grade

St. Edmond School

Who do you look up to, and who are your heroes or role models?

I look up to pretty much everyone because I’m so short! (My dad, Randy, thought you would like that joke). In reality, I look up to my parents and my grandparents. My parents are very hard working, and that has always inspired me to do my best in everything that I do. Their work ethic has been passed on to me, and that’s something I will always be thankful for. I have also always looked up to my grandparents because they were very faithful. A large part of my parents’ childhood was going to church on Sundays or attending Bible School. Without my grandparents, I wouldn’t have my faith today.

What inspires you to do the things you do that go above and beyond classwork?

I enjoy doing service in my community. My grandparents were older when I was born, so I have always been inspired to help in nursing homes, whether that be with 4-H or on my own time. I was inspired by my cousins to do 4-H, and I’m so glad that I chose to follow in their footsteps. 4-H has taught me leadership, interview skills, and communication skills. I started off my swimming career with swim lessons at 5 years old. Now, I swim for Fort Dodge Senior High during the fall and competitive club swimming through ACAC-FD all year round. I’m inspired to try my hardest each day by my teammates. They demonstrate so much strength and commitment to the sport, and I aspire to also demonstrate the same qualities. My swim coach inspires me as well, just by watching the time and commitment she spends on our team.

How do you see your leadership taking you into the future?

In the near future, I will be able to use my leadership to help my teammates with their swimming. Since I have been swimming for over 10 years, I can use my experience to help others grow and develop stronger techniques. In the long run, my leadership will help me with my aspirations to work in the healthcare industry as an occupational therapist. I would also like to coach children who are just beginning their swimming careers.

What does leadership mean to you?

Leadership, in my opinion, means having qualities like honesty, diligence, responsibility, respect, and trustworthiness. A leader must work hard for not only themselves, but those whom they’re leading.

What are you working hardest on?

At the moment, I am focusing my hard work on my grades, swimming, and most importantly my spiritual life. I work hard in every class to maintain my 4.0. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to keep up my grades. In swimming, I’m working on making it to state and just overall improving as a swimmer. Every Sunday, I attend Mass and participate in youth groups to better my spiritual life. My faith is my top priority, so going to a Catholic school is a huge privilege for me.