Mixed future plans for Jefferson seniors

TOM PINNEY/DAILY FORUM
Kelsi McQuinn and Joseph Brownsberger pose in front of the mats of the current Jefferson C-123 School gym. McQuinn is deciding between the University of Missouri at Kansas City and the University of Missouri at Columbia for college, while Brownsberger will enroll at Yale University in the fall.

This week, the Senior Spotlight shines bright on two graduating seniors at Jefferson C-123 high school. Their names are Joseph Brownsberger and Kelsi McQuinn.

Joseph Brownsberger

Brownsberger is involved in FFA and mock trial at Jefferson, as well as the Maryville Rugby club. He serves as the historian of the National Honor Society, secretary of Student Council, and the senior class secretary as well.

“It’s important to get involved, it’s how I got integrated into the Jefferson community,” Brownsberger said. “It’s easy to stretch yourself too thin, though, and sometimes I feel pretty stretched myself.”

Brownsberger is also involved in several community service efforts, including teaching a religion class at St. Gregory’s Catholic Church on Wednesday nights and Adopt-a-Highway, Adopt-a-Family, and Books and Bears through Jefferson. He said getting involved in your community broadens your horizons.

“Giving back to your community is very important,” Brownsberger said. “Your community gives a lot to make sure you’re successful, so its important to return the favor.”

Brownsberger won’t be part of the community for much longer, however. He was accepted to and plans to enroll at Yale University in Connecticut, majoring in physics and philosophy.

“I’m not sure why I got in at Yale, but it feels like this is where God is calling me,” Brownsberger said. “I’ll be right in the thick of current events, and I feel like it will help me grow as a person.

“There’s some pressure, but I learned a lot from my dad about getting a good education. He teaches what’s important to him, and I want to do what’s important to me as a result.”

According to superintendent Tim Jermain, no other Jefferson alumni have been accepted to Ivy League schools. Outside of school, Brownsberger said he enjoys working on his family’s land. He also dabbles in photography.

For the next class of seniors, Brownsberger had some sage advice that reflected his own journey.

“Think big and reach for something you really want,” Brownsberger said. “Even if it seems impossible, go for it, and you may surprise yourself.

“You should also do something that will positively affect those who come behind you.”

Kelsi McQuinn

If McQuinn is involved somewhere, she’s helping to lead. She serves as the chaplain of FFA, vice president of NHS, president of Student Council, and secretary of FBLA. She also played shortstop for the softball team and point guard in basketball.

“When you get involved, you get the chance to meet a lot of people and opportunities to grow,” McQuinn said. “Sometimes you just have to get out of your comfort zone.”

Part of getting out of her comfort zone is community involvement. McQuinn also participates in Jefferson’s efforts for Adopt-a-Highway, Adopt-a-Family, and Books and Bears. In addition, she also serves with the Catholic Youth Organization at St. Columba Catholic Church in Conception Junction.

“In a community, when you’re involved, you feel like a family,” McQuinn said. “We all know each other, and older generations feel more confident in the future of their community when we get involved.”

McQuinn is still not 100 percent sure where she will end up or what she will do, but she has narrowed it down to a few options.

“I know I’m going to a University of Missouri, but I’m still deciding between Kansas City and Columbia, and I’m going to major in something math-related,” McQuinn said. “I don’t know what I want to do for a career yet, but I know I want to come back here to get a job and start a family.”

McQuinn enjoys playing sports and hanging out with family and friends. For this year’s juniors, McQuinn had some very simple advice.

“Don’t worry,” McQuinn said. “Sometimes, senior year can get stressful, and there’s lots of deadlines, but you can make the best of whatever happens.”

Both McQuinn and Brownsberger are set to graduate with their class May 14.

Editor’s Note

This is the penultimate edition of a seasonal series spotlighting graduating seniors around Nodaway County. The seniors chosen for the spotlight are selected by the administration at each school based on a number of factors including but not limited to GPA, extra- and co-currucular involvement, community service, and out of school employment. Next week’s edition will be the final Spotlight of the 2016-2017 school year.