Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties

AD Johnston student headed to Harvard

BESSEMER - Growing up in Ramsay, Molly Wieringa has become accustomed to living in a small town.

"The sense of community while growing up in a small town, that will always be with me. I know people here, and they've always supported me."

As a child, Wieringa was always outside playing or inside reading a good book.

For as long as she can remember, she said reading has been a big part of her life.

"You can learn so much just by reading, even if it's not an instructional book," Wieringa said. "Having read so much, you get a sense of how to speak, write and convey your ideas affectively."

Recently, Wieringa took her love of reading to the next level by getting a job at the Bessemer Public Library.

"Last summer, my sister and I came here and did some volunteer work with the kids' programs," Wieringa said. "I needed a job, so I applied and got the job."

Soon, Wieringa will leave Ramsay to continue her lifelong adventure as a freshman at Harvard University in the fall.

Without support from of her community, Wieringa said all her success wouldn't have been possible.

"I couldn't have done it without them; especially because they encourage me to even think about applying to a place like Harvard," she said,

As a future Crimson, Wieringa credits everyone from her parents to her teachers for everything she's accomplished.

"I can't thank my teachers enough, they are always, always supportive," she said. "My mom really pushed for me to apply. I wasn't really considering it before. I don't have words for her, she's just fantastic."

While attending Bessemer's A.D. Johnston High School, Wieringa was part of the track and Quiz Bowl teams. She said her coach really left an impression.

"Mr. (David) Rowe is not only my Quiz Bowl coach, but also my track coach," Wieringa said. "He is such a big advocate for exploring anything you need. He's such a big supporter of everyone who comes into his classes."

During her sophomore year, she and a group of friends left their mark on Bessemer High School by creating a cross country team.

"Being on a team like that, you learn how to interact with people, which is something everyone should experience," Wieringa said.

Being the avid reader she is, Wieringa said Harry Potter is her favorite book series.

"I am a die-hard Harry Potter fan," she said. "I've read them over and over again. When the seventh one came out, my friends and I got up at midnight and we went over and got it."

While applying to Harvard, Wieringa said she felt like Harry Potter,

"If you look at Harry Potter, he doesn't have very much going for him," Wieringa said. "But even at the beginning, you get a feeling that he's not all the way put down yet. Then, good things happen to him and gets a wonderful circle of friends. It's magical! To me, getting accepted to Harvard was like getting a Hogwarts letter."

While at school, Wieringa checked her email and saw one from Harvard. She opened the email and her life changed forever.

"I think I shrieked when I opened the acceptance email," Wieringa said. "Then, I never stopped screaming. Then I immediately called my mom. Then she started crying. Then, I told my Quiz Bowl coach."

As of yet, Wieringa's unsure of what she wants to concentrate on at Harvard.

"I'm thinking either a life science or an environmental science. All I want to do is help people."

Whatever she decides to do, Wieringa said she's going to make the most of her time at Harvard.

"Mainly, I want to open up the connections and the opportunities that I have and just understand how the rest of the world works," she said,

Before she leaves for Cambridge, Mass., Wieringa wants to thank everyone who has been there for her.

"I want to say thank you to everyone in the community. I couldn't have done it without any of them," she said.

 
 
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