Amanda Blankenberger has been dancing since she was two years old, and has been dancing competitively for 12 years.
Along the way, she become committed to math and science as well, and is graduating at the salutatorian of Roncalli High School. In the fall, she will begin studying biochemistry at Purdue University.
“Hopefully I’ll take up biomedical engineering with that,” Blankenberger said. “After Purdue I’d like to attend (medical) school and do something in pediatrics.”
Blankenburger was drawn to math and science because she has a mind for solving problems, and the subjects are easy for her, she said.
During her time away from textbooks, she stays devoted to dancing through attending the Stage 1 Dance Academy in Greenwood and as a part of Roncalli’s dance team. With Stage 1, she dances in three competitions and two conventions every year.
“(At the conventions) we go and take classes from master teachers. I had an interesting experience. I got to dance on a cruise in 2015 in the Caribbean,” Blankenberger said.
Academically, she was able to achieve the second-best GPA in the senior class through her dedication, she said.
“I have a philosophy to never settle for anything less than my best,” Blankenberger said.
With her athleticism, Blankenberger also took up skiing with Roncalli’s ski club. As a part of the club, she’s gone to Perfect North Slopes in southeast Indiana four times each winter.
Through all her activities and academic ventures, being in an environment where everyone knows each other made the past four years special for her, she said.
“I just really enjoyed getting to meet all the different people and I’ll definitely miss my friends and the feeling of a really (small) school,” Blankenberger said.
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Roncalli High School commencement
Where: Roncalli football field
When: 9 a.m. May 25
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Name: Amanda Blankenberger
Age: 18
Parents: Amanda and Terry Blankenberger
Residence: Bargersville
College plans: Studying biochemistry at Purdue University
Career goals: Going into pediatrics
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