BY EMILEE STRUSS
Emma Lago, a senior at Wood River High School, currently takes AP Environmental Science, College English and College Algebra, as well as her favorite class, AP Government and Politics.
“It’s my favorite class because I enjoy learning the history of America, mainly so I can understand ‘Saturday Night Live’ skits,” Lago said. “I’m not really into politics at all but I am learning a lot.”
Along with her declared disinterest in politics, Lago is also the chapter leader for Next Generation Politics, a club that was founded last fall by Gracie Doyle, a fellow student.
“I really didn’t like the club in the beginning,” Lago said. “But then we started doing things like setting up voter registrations and we hosted a walkout.”
The walkout, conducted at WRHS last year, was a branch off of March For Our Lives, a reaction from the Parkland, Fla., school shooting. The youth chose to host the walkout against all violence in schools, instead of targeting guns.
Lago is also in the environmental club known as WATER, and National Honor Society. In the winter, she plays on the U-19 Girls’ hockey team.
“I’ve been playing hockey for seven years,” Lago said. “It all started with a group of friends that just chose to sign up in first grade together and now we’ve won two state tournaments.”
Lago’s team is hoping for a third state championship this year. In the summer, Lago travels to Camp Perkins, a Lutheran Outdoor Ministries camp for kids in Stanley.
“I love working with kids,” Lago said. “I lead kids in games and Bible studies, and it’s just so much fun.”
This year, Lago is applying to colleges in search of screenwriting programs.
“My mom helped me find Chapman University, in Orange, Calif.,” Lago said. “And the school is 10 minutes away from Disneyland, so that’s great.”
As Lago prepares for her final moments in her high school career, she hopes students know that she’s there for them. Two of her inspirations are Chris Hansen, advisor at WRHS for Next Generation Politics, and Amy Poehler, the actress and comedian.
“I hope others remember me, and think: that Emma Lago girl, she was a hoot,” Lago said. “And that people always know they can come to me and I’ll have some cheery joke.”