Each citizen in Loveland makes up an important piece of the community, but in saying that it’s up to the citizen as to what they do with their role as an important piece of that community. This is what makes up a community’s “D.N.A.”
Over the past two years, Loveland Magazine has been in search of community members that truly play an important role in Loveland’s D.N.A.
by Mihaela Manova
What happens when you put together an aspiring journalist and a promising future doctor-extraordinaire? It all began during lunch. Sitting at a table with a couple of people that I knew and most of which I didn’t, I got to know Madeline Killion, a junior at Loveland High School. From our connection with similar tv shows like Rick and Morty and our talk about the world, we got to discuss ranges of topics in just 35 mins each day.
From Madeline, I got to listen to many of her stories about what she has read or seen, from discussions about the Chernobyl disaster in 1986 to her studies and observations of her various science classes and her ambitions to become a doctor, while also wanting to advocate for various causes. Through talking with many students throughout my four years of high school, it is rarely seen the amount of passion one has to talk about “grown-up topics” in our free time. At just sixteen, Madeline’s dreams include wanting to study at MIT and becoming certified in her profession, achieving the American Dream and going beyond her own limits. On a day off from high school, we sat down to discuss her current interests and motivations.
Q: What are your current interests at school, what kind of variety of classes/ clubs do you participate in?
Madeline: Currently, I’m hoping to broaden my horizons in the science area of both classes and extracurriculars. This is my first year on both the Academic Team and Science Olympiad, both of which I thoroughly enjoy. Science is something that is both challenging yet incredibly rewarding to me.
Q: Can you name one teacher and their lasting influence on you?
Madeline: Mrs. Partridge has definitely had a lasting impact on me. She taught both my Honors Chemistry and Honors Anatomy/Physiology class that I’m currently in. Anatomy is my favorite class out of my seven bell schedule, she’s just an incredibly fun and inspiring person to be around.
Q: Can you tell us your plans for the future? What will you imagine life to be like in 10 years?
Madeline: In 10 years I hope to be in medical school continuing to work on my path toward becoming a doctor.
Q: Can you describe a moment in your life where you knew that science was what you wanted to do?
Madeline: In 6th grade when I went on a STEM field trip at Ohio State University and got to hold a pig’s heart in my hand; that was when I knew I wanted to become a doctor.
Q: As a member of the marching band, does the band feel underappreciated compared to athletics?
Madeline: Certainly, the band’s success over the years has often gone overlooked, we went to Grand Nationals this year at Lucas Oil Stadium and hardly anyone outside the band knew about it but so often we’re bombarded with announcements at lunch about basketball, football, etc.
Q: What is one of the things that are happening in the world right now that frustrates you and want to change?
Madeline: Something that frustrates me to no end is the steady increase in online predators and sexual abuse cases since the influx of social media use with younger generations. Often these cases are overlooked strictly because they happen online and most people don’t realize how damaging online abuse can be to young girls and boys.
Q: What should people turn their attention to to make the world a better place?
Madeline: I want people to turn attention to their loved ones in their life and take time to educate themselves on the signs if your child is victim to online sexual abuse. Most often the way that these cases fall through the cracks is not enough education at home and improper handling of the situation if something like this does come to light.
In a world of opportunity and ambition, we need to make light of the ones who have dreams to become great, even in our own community. As many young women are stereotyped day by day to different labels, showcasing what they enjoy and others making them feel ashamed for their interests, women like Madeline are evidence to being able to enjoy a variety of things and not be put under a narrow scope. It’s time to encourage more young people to go after their dreams and find their passions early on – to want to change the world.
Read more of our, What’s in Loveland’s DNA” stories…
