There are always choices one makes in their education, especially when a family chooses to send their child to a private school. For Sacred Heart School graduate Rachel Ulbrich that choice is one she is forever grateful for, despite the challenges it may have presented.
“I’ve tried not to have any regrets through high school but a few do stick out,” Ulbrich said. “I wish I had focused more on developing friendships with lots of people in high school.
“Just this year, I‘ve started to feel comfortable enough around my peers to reach outside of my usual social circle and talk to everyone,” she added. “If I had the courage to do that as a freshman in high school I think it would have made my transition to a new school much easier.”
Prior to attending Sacred Heart, Ulbrich was a student at St. Peter Catholic School in Marshall where she lives with her family.
Each day she spends an hour in her commute to Sacred Heart.
“I also regret the effect that my daily commute has had on my high school career,” Ulbrich reflected. “It has made it very difficult for my parents and family to attend school functions and makes it a continual challenge to maintain normal relationships with my friends in Sedalia.”
Her friends and family Ulbrich feels have been very supportive of her throughout her education and life.
“There have been so many wonderful people who have supported me during my life that it’s hard to select even a few as role models,” Ulbrich said thoughtfully. “My parents are definitely at the top of my list though.
“They have worked so hard for everything they have and have worked to instill the same values in me,” she added. “Their faith has played a leading role in raising their three kids and if I am ever anything good, it’s because of them.”
In general, private school tend to have lower numbers of students who attend than their public counterparts, which is something Ulbrich feels has led to some of her success.
“In Sacred Heart, because the student body is so small, everyone is involved in a lot of clubs and activities,” she commented. “During my time at SHS I was on the volleyball team for four years, soccer for two years, and dance for three years, speech for four years, National Honor Society for three years, and Environthon for two years and student choir for two years.
“Outside of my school activities I am very involved with in my local 4-H club and have been a member since 2007 and I am currently the president,” Ulbrich commented. “Through 4-H I was able to travel to Japan in 2016 for a month as an international delegate.”
Downtime is a rare commodity but when she has it Ulbrich said she spends her time running, reading and cooking and baking, adding she was hoping to perfect some basic cooking skills before the start of her college education. Ulbrich plans to attend Washington University in St. Louis where she plans to major in biology.
Former Sacred Heart Assistant Principal Holly Wilson commended Ulbrich and her success at SHS.
“Rachel is a student who faithfully performs inside and outside the classroom,” Wilson said. “She is an extremely intelligent learner who exhibits a positive outlook and attitude.”
That positive outlook will help Ulbrich in her future plans.
“As of now, I’d like to enroll in the pre-med program and attend medical school after receiving my undergraduate degree,” Ulbrich said. “My dream career is to become a surgeon and as of now, I believe I’m on a great path to get there.”
When asked if she had any advice for incoming students, her words were simple and profound: “Don’t lose you.”
“When you come to high school you’re going to want to fit in and to be ‘normal’ so people like you and want to be your friend,” she explained. “I promise you, any friends you make when you aren’t being yourself will suddenly disappear whenever you decide that you’re tired of acting like someone you’re not.
“It’s so easy to completely lose yourself and your dreams in the newness of high school, but if you allow that to happen, you will spend the next four years trying to get back to your starting point,” she added.
