Daily Pioneer News

PLATTEVILLE - University of Wisconsin-Platteville senior Lindsay Olson adheres to a simple creed: "never give up."

An elementary and middle-level education major who will graduate in December, Olson has been named one of this semester's Super Seniors and will receive lifetime membership in the UWP Alumni Association.

An outstanding track athlete in high school at Darlington, Olson's determination was measured her freshman year at UWP when a rare hernia injury in her leg forced her out of the running events.

"It taught me to never give up," Olson said. "I wasn't one to ever quit anything anyways."

Olson persevered and competed in the high jump all four years at UWP, serving as captain of the track and field team in 2001-02 and 2002-03. For someone entering the field of education, Olson believes participating in athletics can be a learning experience as well.

"Athletics have taught me a lot-discipline, time management, to never give up and to be hard-working," she said.

Olson is currently student teaching in the Monroe school district, preparing for her future as an educator.

"It's such a relief when you go to college and then you get into your profession and you know it's what you want to do," Olson said.

In fact, teaching for her is more of a calling than a profession.

"Middle-level children are amazing," Olson said. "I think I understand where they're coming from, what they're going through. I think that's where I'm supposed to teach."

Olson hopes to one day obtain a master's degree in education or administration and serve as a principal, just like her older sister, Corey Hirsbrunner, who she describes as a "huge role model." Olson also cites UWP education professor Rea Kirk as important in her development as a teacher.

With degree soon in-hand, Olson looks forward to becoming that important person in someone else's life. She tells of one boy with a learning disability she met earlier this school year while student teaching in an elementary classroom. Olson tried to do little things to make the boy feel valued and loved, and when she left that student-teaching experience, the child gave her a big hug.

"I tried to make it a point every day to say, 'Hi, how are you doing?' or 'Hey, that's a nice shirt you have on,'" Olson said. "It was like I was his positive person. I know you can't make a difference in everyone's life, but I tried with him, and he knew I cared."