Anna Millett of Scranton Preparatory School
Q: What accomplishments are you most proud of and why?
A: One accomplishment I am most proud of is maintaining a high GPA while balancing extracurricular activities and a social life. Going into high school, I had a goal of making the most of my next four years; taking every opportunity I was presented. I managed to fit two swim practices, school, homework and studying, and spending time with my family all in one day. I also prioritized doing the things that made me happy, like spending time with friends. Having meaningful connections is equally important as academics. Another accomplishment I am proud of is stepping outside of my comfort zone. In my junior year of high school, I ran for class treasurer. I hung posters all around the school, passed out stickers, and tried to introduce myself and get to know as many underclassmen as possible. Although I consider myself an outgoing person, putting myself out there in front of the whole school was still very nerve-wracking. Even though I lost the election, this experience allowed me to meet new people and taught me how to have confidence in myself, especially in front of a large crowd.
Q: Whom do you most admire and why?
A: One person whom I admire most is my mom. I truly do not believe I would be the person that I am today without her. Raising three kids was definitely not easy, but she did it with so much love and dedication. She sacrificed so much of her life to make sure my brothers and I made it to school on time with our lunches packed, to make sure we made it to all of our activities and practices, and to make sure we were always loved and taken care of. As a senior in high school, she still packs my lunch for me every day. Out of every single swim meet I have had across 12 years, she has only ever missed three. At my meets she is the loudest one cheering.
Q: What were your most rewarding school or community activities? Why?
A: My most rewarding school activity was being part of the Great Ignatian Challenge committee. The Great Ignatian Challenge is a food drive where my school was able to raise over 200,000 pounds of food to donate to families all across the Scranton area. Being a part of this committee, I was educating my school about food insecurity in our area, creating fun challenges that would engage students in the drive, and was using my voice to address an issue important to me. Being part of the swim team has also been so rewarding. Swimming is something that I have been so passionate about since I was in kindergarten. Waking up at 5 a.m. for early morning practices was definitely a challenge, but it taught me hard work and determination. I have made so many friends because of this sport who are always there to support me.
Q: What do you do in your spare time?
A: I love spending every second outside. I love skiing, going for runs, gardening and water skiing. I love getting ice cream with my friends, hot Pilates and making jewelry.
Q: What are your plans after high school graduation? Why did you choose this path?
A: I am going to Wake Forest University. I plan on studying biology in hopes to attend medical school. Becoming a doctor has been a dream of mine ever since I was little. My biology teacher, Suzanne Fitzsimmons, inspired me to fully pursue a career in biology because she is so passionate about everything related to science. Every day she tells the class facts about what she read the night before related to current science and medicine innovations. Her love and passion for biology allowed my love for biology to grow.
Q: What is your advice to younger students?
A: My advice to younger students is to always stay true to who you are. Do the things that make you happy and fulfilled; find what you love and stick with it.
Q: Finish this sentence: The most interesting thing about me is …
A: In the summer, from the last day of school to the first, I never go a day without swimming. Even if it is freezing or raining, I’ll still jump in my lake and swim.
A little about Anna Millett
Anna Millett of Scranton Preparatory School was part of a swim team that won a regional championship and does other sports on the side. Her school says she is intellectually curious, with more tenacity than a typical high school senior.
The Waverly Twp. resident is the daughter of Brett Millett and Nicole Millett.
Anna won numerous school end-of-year academic achievement awards, including in classics, English, math, science, Spanish and theology. Anna is part of the Great Ignatian Challenge committee. She is a member of the National Honor Society, the spirit and climate awareness clubs and is a Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Ambassador. She has worked as a lifeguard.
Anna Millett (COURTESY OF ANNA MILLETT)