A lot sticks out in Megan Pottschmidt’s mind about her time at Trinity Lutheran High School.

The 18-year-old, who will graduate with her 30 classmates Saturday and looks back on her time at the school positively.

Pottschmidt, the salutatorian, said the atmosphere at Trinity is more of a family than school.

“You definitely know a lot about everyone, like who their family is, where they’re from and what’s going on in their life,” she said. “There’s more of a family atmosphere here, and that’s possible at the larger schools, but when you have nine or so in a classroom, you definitely get to know them well.”

Talking about Jesus Christ throughout the school day also has been something Pottschmidt has valued throughout her time at Trinity. Those discussions happened through classes other than religion courses, and teachers and staff helped her grow in her faith.

“We talk about him in literature, history and every other class,” she said.

Teachers have made her challenge herself and grow outside her comfort zone, she said. She has been used to having a close relationship as she attended Lutheran Central School in Brownstown, where there also were smaller class sizes.

“The teachers at Trinity push us and base it on how they can help us as individuals,” Pottschmidt said, adding the teachers know each student on a personal level. “They expect a lot from you, which is good.”

Students from each grade get to know each other because of class sizes, too.

Coming into high school, Pottschmidt didn’t really consider herself much of an artist, but that changed when she found herself in Carrie Adler’s art classes.

“Now, I hope to continue art after high school and college,” she said. “It’s something I’ve really enjoyed, and Mrs. Adler has helped me branch out.”

Pottschmidt even joined the Art Club during her time at Trinity. She plans to study elementary education at Indiana University Southeast and said she would consider being an art teacher if a position was available.

That made her laugh as she thought about how art was not as much of a focus of her time when she entered high school.

Pottschmidt also served as a student ambassador and on the student event team.

She recently was awarded the Next Generation Hoosier Educators scholarship and will receive $7,500 annually. Pottschmidt had to maintain a 3.0 grade-point average, show her volunteer hours, participate in an interview and write an essay.

One of the requirements of the scholarship is that she will commit to teaching in Indiana for five years following her college graduation.

“That could be at Lutheran Central or at a school in Fort Wayne,” she said.

Pottschmidt said she will miss how much fun she and her friends had throughout their time in high school. She said many times, she and her friends would randomly burst into songs throughout passing periods or extra time in class.

“My friends and I like to sing a lot in our classrooms and in the hallways to just be goofy,” she said. “The other day, I was in Spanish class and we had extra time, so we just randomly started singing Disney songs. It’s those memories where you’re close to everyone and you can feel comfortable doing that.”

But leaving her home and school she has loved also will provide her with new opportunities. Pottschmidt said she is looking forward to a little taste of supporting herself and experiencing new things.

“I am looking forward to being on my own a little bit and getting that independence and see where I go,” she said. “I am looking forward to being a teacher.”

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Name: Megan Pottschmidt

Age: 18

Hometown: Brownstown

Residence: Brownstown

School: Trinity Lutheran High School

Activities: Art Club, student ambassador, student event team, volleyball two years, cheerleading one year, tennis one year and competitive cheerleading outside of Trinity

Future plans: Attend Indiana University Southeast to study elementary education

Family: Parents, Phillip and Sharon Pottschmidt; brothers, Wes and Levi

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What: Trinity Lutheran High School 2019 commencement

When: 10 a.m. Saturday

Where: Bollinger Athletic Complex, 7120 N. County Road 875E, Seymour

Who: 31 seniors will graduate

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