The Fort Dodge Senior High School senior’s voice has been a big part of her high school career, earning her All-State Chorus for the past two years.

“Getting selected for All-State two years in a row was fun and so exciting. I loved going to All-State as a junior so I was beyond excited that I was able to go again,” Thompson said. “All-State absolutely made me more confident in my singing and it helped me grow as a musician tremendously. Making it into All-State this year was a huge goal of mine, as I know how special it is, so I was really excited when I got chosen.”

Using her voice is something that Thompson plans on doing, long after high school.

“I’ve always loved singing and choir,” Thompson said. “What I love about choir is that unlike some other music activities your “instrument” is always with you. So even when I am no longer in choir in high school, I will really never stop singing.

“I also love singing because you can do it anytime, with anyone. I am definitely known to sing pretty loudly in the car with my family and friends.”

In her final year as a Dodger, Thompson was able to enjoy another All-State honor.

“I had so much fun in All-State making new friends. I adored my group that I got to work with both of my years of All-State and I couldn’t have asked for a better group,” Thompson said “It was a blast for my whole group to make it two years in a row. I had the privilege of singing with Manu Rodriguez, and Owen Hamlow for two years, and Michael Wagner my junior year.

“All of these people were amazing and I had so much fun getting to know them and getting to sing with them. After a lot of time spent working together, groups in All-State definitely have a special bond and my group will forever be some of my favorite people to sing with.”

Practicing and being ready for All-State was a long and dedicated process.

“Preparing and getting ready for All-State is definitely a longer process and more commitment than some people realize,” Thompson said. “Most of us auditioning have been preparing this music since late July to audition in late October. All-State is time consuming, of course, in the end, it was well worth the time and effort to me.

“From starting in July with camps, to clinics, to on your own practice, to daily practices with the group, preparation is definitely hard work.”

Choir hasn’t been the only activity for Thompson as she has been involved in orchestra, Future Farmers of America, National Honor Society, and the musical.

“I was involved in the musical for the past three years and I absolutely plan on doing it again,” Thompson said. “The musicals have always been a blast and I love getting to sing and dance with my friends, and meet new people.

“I have made many new friends through musicals and got to meet and talk to people in different grade levels, which is so much fun.”

Not only has Thompson enjoyed her time in the fine arts, but she has also been a part of the Fort Dodge swimming and tennis teams.

“I participated in swimming and tennis in high school and it is hard work to balance sports and music together,” Thompson said. “It takes a lot of commitment to be prepared in both aspects, but I loved doing it all.

“Doing All-State and swimming at the same time and tennis and the musical is definitely challenging, but it is a great skill to know how to balance everything. It’s also fun because I got a lot of support from my team in swimming while doing All State and they were all super excited for me.”

Being in the fine arts and athletics has been a big part of Thompson’s life and she wouldn’t change a thing.

“Sports and the arts were always so worth the work for me to do. Both sports I played, I loved my team and made some lifelong friends in the process. I love feeling accomplished in working hard at a sport,” Thompson said. “Of course music is also super important to me and I have made some of my best friends in the process. In choir and orchestra, I have made new friends every year while also getting to sing and play violin with some of the same people for the past eight years.

“It is fun to grow up doing these things together and I love that I am still great friends with many of the people I started with in fifth grade.”

As her senior season isn’t quite over yet, the senior is ready for her lasts.

“I am looking forward to all of the lasts of my senior year, but also looking forward to the firsts next year,” Thompson said. “I’m excited for all the senior nights and fun things I get to do as a senior and just cherishing the last moments in my activities with my friends and peers.”

But as she walks out the door, there will be plenty of things she will miss and remember about her time as a Dodger.

“I will miss all of my activities from high school and definitely the lasts are always hard,” Thompson said. “I would say mostly I will miss just seeing friends everyday. I miss swimming so much and I miss getting to talk to my teammates everyday and bonding through the hard days when we didn’t want to be there.

“I will miss all the little funny moments of spending time with my teammates and friends in all my activities.”

Even though her senior season is almost over, Thompon will never regret her choices of packing her schedule full.

“It’s super important to me to be involved in multiple activities because I love both sports and music,” Thompson said. “I really think you don’t have to choose one or the other. I enjoy being active while also participating in the arts.”

Thompson will take lots of memories with her and will always love her time as a Dodger.

“Some of the most memorable things that have happened for me in high school have been making it into All-State and my swimming senior night,” Thompson said. “The All-State audition day is incredibly stressful so it has been super fun to find out I was accepted with my group the past two years.

“My swimming senior night was also super memorable for me. I got to sing the national anthem with my All-State group members and it was just surreal to know that I was swimming at FDSH for the last time with my friends.”

Thompson knows that she couldn’t do it without her support staff.

“Some of my biggest influences have been my family, as well as my teachers,” Thompson said. “My family has always been supportive of me and I am so thankful for them. I truly have the best family anyone could ask for.

“My music teachers have also pushed me to try new things. I am super grateful for Ms. (Kim) Wankum who pushed me to try All-State as a junior and has always been so kind and supportive.”

After high school Thompson plans on attending Iowa State University in Ames and majoring in horticulture and minoring in agronomy.

Vacation destination: Holland.

People I would like to have dinner with: Bing Crosby, John Denver, James Taylor, Michael Buble.

It would surprise people that: I have a large plant collection.

My everyday role model: My mom.

I can’t go a day without: Singing.

Where do I see myself in 10 years?

graduated from college, working doing something in plant scienes, and hopefully have at least one very cute dog.

What are you listening to right now?

The Leather Album by Cody Johnson and the Stranger album by Billy Joel.

A show you binge watch: “How I met your Mother.”

Dream piece: Mamma Mia.

Favorites…

Musical: White Christmas.

Performer that inspires me: Cody Johnson.

Performance: “Les Mis.”

Music genre: Country.

Song: “Carolina in my Mind” by James Taylor.

Instrument: Violin.

Class: Plant Sciences.

Movie: “Princess and the Frog.”

Book: Better than the Movies.

Phone App.: Instagram.