Today's Senior Spotlight puts the focus on Heidi Prebys representing St. Francis High School. This marks the fifth in our 2018 series which has now highlighted graduates from Naperville North, Benet, Naperville Central, and St. Francis. If you've followed this feature, you've seen hard evidence over the past month that our graduates 
are well prepared for success in whichever academic environment they matriculate to after they leave Saints Peter and Paul School.
Current extra-curricular involvement:
A member of the
cheerleading squad for 4 years and captain for 2. On two occasions we made it to state! I'm also on our National Honor Society Executive Board, the Students Against Destructive Decisions Executive Board, a Student Ministry Team Captain, the Student Ambassador Leadership Team, our Math Team, a Eucharistic Minister and a main office assistant.
Awards or accomplishments:
Have been named an Illinois State Scholar and am ranked 6th in the SFHS Class of 2018. Have achieved First Honor Roll status every semester throughout high school, am a French Honor Society member as well as a Kairos Retreat Leader, received the Sons of the American Revolution Good Citizen Award, and was voted Homecoming Queen this year.
Service involvement:
Over the summer, I am a crew leader for Vacation Bible School at Saints Peter and Paul. I also volunteer at the library over the summer where I mentor kids and read to them. I am also involved in many various service opportunities during the school year such as helping at the People's Resource Center and Feed My Starving Children.
College plans:
I have not yet decided where I will be going next year, but I have been accepted at Notre Dame, Saint Louis University, Miami University, and the University of Dayton. I am still waiting to hear from Boston College, Northwestern, Vanderbilt, and the University of North Carolina before making my selection.
Anticipated Major:
I intend to major in business.
Career aspirations:
I am still unsure of exactly what I want to do in the future, but I hope to be able to work in the business world.
How my Catholic faith resonated with me today as a teenager:
My Catholic faith has been so important to me as a teenager. I am so fortunate to have received a great foundation of faith from Saints Peter and Paul. Having the opportunity to attend a Catholic high school as well has been such a blessing for me. I have the opportunity to attend a daily Communion service before lunch which is such a great way to take a break from my busy day and connect with God. I have been able to express my faith and associate with people that have a similar faith life as me. Every day when attending religion classes, I can grow deeper in my faith and make decisions based on my faith. Being Catholic as a teenager can, at times, be very difficult, but at Saint Francis and having gone to SSPP, I find it very easy, fulfilling rewarding, and beneficial.
What I learned at SSPP that helped me in high school:
So much of what I have learned at SSPP has transferred over to my time in high school. SSPP did such a great job of preparing me for what high school would be like, especially academically. SSPP taught me how to think and how to be organized in order to make myself prepared for high school, beyond just the general knowledge I learned. My schooling has also taught me the importance of a Catholic education and how to live as a Catholic every day of my life.
Teacher at Saints Peter and Paul who had the most influence on you:
I would say the teacher that had the most influence on me was Mrs. Saul. She was my Math teacher in 8th grade and she prepared me so well for high school Math. She was always so willing to help us before school or during the lunch hour when we needed it and she structured her class in order to prepare us for high school which I greatly appreciate.
Best Peter and Paul experience you cherish:
The memory that I definitely cherish the most was the 8th grade trip to Washington D.C. I had the best time learning about our national's capital with my friends at my side. I still have such vivid memories from that trip and it was definitely the highlight of 8th grade.
Advice for current students:
Don't worry! Saints Peter and Paul has more than prepared you for high school and beyond. Don't stress about which high school to choose. Also, get involved at SSPP and your high school from the very beginning!
