Q: Name?
A: Catharine Struzik.
Q: Class Rank?
A: 5th.
Q: Parents’ Names?
A: Matthew and Melissa Struzik.
Q: Future Plans?
A: In the fall, I’ll be attending St. John Fisher University to study psychology. My goal is to become a school psychologist.
Q: Honors & Awards?
A: This fall, I was honored to be named the High School Student of the Month for the senior class.
Q: Activities & Sports?
A: Throughout high school, I participated in soccer, golf, indoor track and outdoor track. I was a member of student government, serving as the Class of 2025 president for all four years of high school. In addition, I was a member of Yearbook Club, We Care Club, Connect Life Club, National Honor Society, band and chorus.
Q: What is your proudest achievement?
A: My proudest achievement is managing a heavy school workload of AP classes, ACE classes, and a GCC class while participating in three sports and maintaining high honor roll, which helped earn my spot in the Top 10.
Q: What will you miss most about school?
A: The thing I’ll miss most about school is spending every day with my friends. I did a great deal of learning but an even greater amount of socializing and laughing with the people around me!
Q: What’s the most important lesson you learned in high school?
A: The most important lesson I learned in high school is the importance of self-advocacy. I have learned to ask for help when I need it, but also to ask for opportunities to get involved and learn more about my career interests. Not only have I grown in knowledge, but my confidence and determination have improved, too.
Q: What do you hope your life looks like in 10 years?
A: In 10 years, I hope to have completed my master’s program for school psychology and be settled at a nearby school. I wish to be living in a suburb of Buffalo or Rochester so I can still be near my family.
Q: Who inspires you to do your best? Why this person?
A: My parents inspire me to do my best. They are both very passionate about teaching and I see their hard work both in the classroom and outside of school. They spend their evenings coaching soccer, baseball, softball, and hockey because they want to make a difference in the lives of others. It sometimes is a lot to juggle, but it shows me that if I genuinely want something, I will find a way to make it happen!
Q: What’s your favorite place in Attica?
A: I don’t have a favorite place in Attica, but my favorite thing to do is go for walks. I enjoy exploring the side streets so I can take in the scenery and admire the houses. I love walking with my grandma or my best friend because it's lovely to walk and talk.
Q: What’s your go-to Yummies order?
A: When at Yummies, I will cycle through a small twist with rainbow sprinkles, Muddy Frog or a Mexican sundae.
Q: If you could tell your eighth grade self one thing, what would it be?
A: I would tell my eighth-grade self not to act a certain way just to fit in. The friends who love you the most and want to spend time with you because you’re uniquely yourself will stick right by your side through everything!
Q: What do you want people to know about what it’s like to be you, to be your age, at this moment in time?
A: Something I want people to know about what it’s like to be me at this moment in time is that it's a difficult concept to understand: My life will never be the same as it has been for the last 12 years. I am excited about my future at St. John Fisher, but it’s a strange feeling knowing I’ll never return to Attica Central as a student.
Q: What would the title of your autobiography be?
A: If I wrote an autobiography, I could title it “Anchored by Purpose: A Life of Commitment and Care.”
Q: What’s your most-listened to song?
A: My most-listened-to song on Spotify is "Mariella," by Khruangbin and Leon Bridges. I love Khruangbin’s instrumental sound, and the song reminds me of when I saw them in concert, which was a tremendous experience! Additionally, Leon Bridges’ voice is calm and peaceful yet powerful - I thoroughly enjoy listening to his music.
Q: What scares you about the future?
A: The scariest part about the future is the uncertainty. I have my future career interests figured out, but anything can happen to change my path.
Q: What gives you hope about the future?
A: One thing that gives me hope for the future is little kids playing games together. They have not been exposed to the copious stressors of society or the addictive screens of modern technology. Young kids’ creativity, imagination and energy remind me that life can be as simple as we make it and that makes me hopeful that someday there'll be no hate and everyone will be full of goodness.
Q: Tell me about a time when you were stronger than you thought you could be.
A: Some may think this is silly, but my senior year, this year, required a lot of internal strength. There were moments when I was on an emotional high: Everything was going as planned, I was having fun at senior activities, or I was getting into college. Then, on other days, waves of sadness would wash over me - like during the Halloween parade at the elementary school, when I would think back to when I was a little kid watching and saying how old they looked. Writing in our yearbooks for the very last time was another strange feeling because we used to write, “Have a great summer! See you next year!” but this year it’s “Good luck in the future! I’ll miss you!” I have big dreams and want to conquer the future, but first, I need to proceed with strength.
Q: Tell me about a time when you took a risk and it paid off.
A: I will preface this by saying that this isn’t a significant risk whatsoever but rather an action that took some confidence. During the fall of my junior year, my mom convinced me to join the indoor track team, which I was extremely hesitant to do. I was not confident in my running abilities and thought I was too slow, but I later found out that racewalking was an event and as crucial for points as the others. I gained confidence in myself while also getting much more in shape. That first year on the indoor track team led to three more track seasons, for which I am very grateful. I took a leap of faith, built many new friendships, got into the best shape of my life, and made countless memories!
Q: What trend or fad did you participate in that you will definitely regret in the future (or actively regret right now)?
A: At the end of elementary and the beginning of middle school, I used to wear a high ponytail with an elastic headband every day. Not only was it awful for my hair, but looking back at it, I don’t like how it looked.
Q: If you had to cook a meal to impress someone, what would you make?
A: If I had to impress someone, I wouldn’t exactly cook a meal - I would make a snack plate for an appetizer instead. I love grazing and eating a bunch of small snacks, especially at a party. Some of my favorites include cheese and crackers, vegetables and hummus, chips with dip, and assorted berries. I also love making pasta salad because it's so fresh and reminds me of summer. My favorite is a Greek-inspired salad with cucumber, tomato, Kalamata olives, and feta cheese.
Q: What superpower would you pick and why?
A: If I could choose a superpower, I would choose super speed because I would be able to get so many things done in one day. If I had a huge to-do list, everything would be completed!
Q: Imagine it’s 2047 and you have teenage kids of your own. What advice would you give your 40(ish)-year-old self about being a good parent?
A: I would tell my 40(ish)-year-old self to be understanding of the chaotic lifestyle of a teenager but also to maintain clear rules and boundaries. I would encourage open communication between my 40(ish)-year-old self and my future kids because that will keep a good relationship.