Senior Chloe Lautenslager has always excelled as a student while also being involved in multiple sports and clubs. She moved to Ripon when she was 10 and attended Weston. Lautenslager has always be an inspiration to everyone at Ripon High.
As a junior, Lautenslager was the Choral President. She’s in advanced choir and has shone as Drum Major. Leading the band at games, rallies, and in parades has taught Lautenslager what it takes to be a leader.
“It’s a responsibility,” Lautenslager says, “but you know they trust you. That bond really helps me lead. Me being able to stand up on that podium and be like, ‘okay, this is what we’re gonna do’ and they’ll listen. That trust is what makes that happen.”
Lautenslager has always expressed her creativity through the music she shares with the world. “It’s so fun getting to play and perform with others that love music, but at the same time getting to perform for others that don’t usually get to see to live music. When you can change that experience for someone listening, it’s so cool.” Despite all the work she has to put into the performance, she loves showcasing the talent Ripon High has. She loves the subjectivity of music.
“There’s no such thing as perfect in music because everytime you play or sing that piece, it’s gonna be different.”
Last year, the RHS Band and Choir travelled to Six Flags to play in competition against many other schools’ music departments. “I thought that was the best we had ever sang. I could feel it when we were singing. I was so happy with how we performed and was physically jumping up and down. It just sounded so amazing.”
Along with her involvement in music, Lautenslager has been a determined and respected teammate in all the years she’s played volleyball, basketball, and softball. She’s been on Varsity for softball since she was a sophomore and continues to play her heart out every time she steps up to the plate.
“I love getting to hang out with my teammates and become good friends with them. These past couple years of basketball, I’ve made some of my closest friends and I’m so excited to play with them my senior year.”
With all of these extracurricular activities, Lautenslager must manage her time carefully. Taking several AP classes, she often takes her homework to her games to work before she plays. Among all her advanced courses, AP Music Theory was her favorite. Lautenslager says, “Even though we were learning difficult concepts, it was fun to learn it with others that enjoyed music as much as I do.”
Lautenslager has always put 110% into her high school career and looks forward to finishing off her senior year with her best friends. In the future, she hopes to go to NYU or another college with advanced art programs.
