ABOVE: Seniors Kayla Mattson and Reagan Emmert were chosen by Granada-Huntley-East Chain as the Triple A winners for academic, athletic and artistic success and drive.

GRANADA – Kayla Mattson and Reagan Emmert were the seniors chosen for Granada-Huntley-East Chain’s (GHEC) Triple A awards via achievement in academics, the arts and athletics

Mattson currently has a 3.9 GPA and has been enrolled in PSEO classes since her sophomore year. She said she does more PSEO classes than high school courses because of the flexibility and personal accountability she can have. Even so, she said it has not caused a disconnect between her and her peers.

“I think some students can definitely face a disconnect because we have the option to leave school during our PSEO hours and not be in school,” Mattson said. “I tend to be in school a lot because I like to see people’s faces and be with my teachers and friends. I personally don’t feel a disconnect, because I’m always talking and finding a reason to connect with the people around me.”

In the arts, Mattson has been drawn to music ever since she started piano lessons in the first grade. She joined band in fifth grade, school plays since she was a freshman, and started choir in her sophomore year. While she came in a little later than some, Mattson said it and working with her church worship team encouraged her to be more outgoing with her singing abilities.

“I’ve always loved music, playing it, singing it, listening to it,” she said. “Through the years, I’ve gained a lot more confidence because I’ve had a lot more opportunities to play in front of people and do different things.”

On the athletic front, she has been involved in volleyball and basketball since fourth grade, track since seventh and golf since last year. She joined golf after an injury in track meant she needed a sport with less contact.

Across all of these pursuits, Mattson said it takes a lot of time and dedication.

“Time management has been super important when trying to keep up academically and be an athlete,” she said. “Really just having good people and teachers that are flexible has helped a ton, and then also just being really responsible and keeping on task.”

In leadership positions, she has been track team captain, National Honor Society and student council member and choir and band section leader.

Through all of it, Mattson said she is very good at stepping in and making people feel welcome.

“I think I connect really well with people,” she said. “I am a big talker. I like to interact around people, so that is one of my biggest strong suits when being a leader is being able to connect with people and be pretty understanding of anything that is happening in their life.”

Volunteering has provided other avenues for Mattson’s leadership as well. She has been a youth group and Fellowship of Christian Athletes huddle leader, as well as working on the church worship team and nursery. To have been trusted to lead in these areas is something Mattson said is a big privilege.

“I’m really grateful people have reached out to me to have these leadership roles,” she said. “It shows that the work and all the time I spend being involved is really noticed.”

Looking forward, Mattson is planning to attend the University of Sioux Falls for Nursing. Mattson said the PSEO classes and time management skills she has learned from managing all of her responsibilities will help with the heavy course load of nursing.

Emmert has a 3.75 GPA and has taken several PSEO classes, including generals needed for college and history courses, which he said will help him in his next step.

“It’s less work I have to do in college, and I can not be so stressed out in college,” he said.

On the arts side, Emmert has been in band since fifth grade, choir since sixth and the play since freshman year. While he initially got into it on encouragement from his parents, Emmert said it has been a great opportunity to connect with friends.

Athletics have always been football, basketball and baseball, as far back as Emmert can remember. Participating in sports has helped shape Emmert into who he is today.

“It’s given me confidence, leadership roles and ways I can do better,” he said.

Through leadership in captain roles and as a National Honor Society member, Emmert said he has enjoyed being a role model.

“I can set the example,” he said. “Be the leader on the team and help others.”

Being a leader in sports has gone beyond his own teams. Emmert volunteers with kids’ basketball and youth sports camps, as well as assisting his church youth group. Having been in youth group himself as a kid, Emmert said it is enjoyable to be on the other side now.

“Now I get to know,” he said. “I can relate to them because I was in that spot. I can also help them because I know more.”

Currently, Emmert plans to attend the University of Northwestern at St. Paul. While he has not chosen a major yet, Emmert said his time at GHEC has helped prepare him for what he does choose.

“I’ve done all the stuff I feel I need to do before I graduate, and it’s been a good experience,” he said.