Meet Ashlynn Kolmansberger
By Joan Frances-
B. F. Terry High School is home to approximately 1,688 students. With such a diversified curriculum and highly qualified teachers, students spend four years preparing to take the next step in life. One senior who has excelled in academics and sports and is a leader in her class is Ashlynn Kolmansberger.
Ashlynn took an interest in playing volleyball in seventh grade and has been a member of the team all four years of high school. As a freshman and sophomore, she started with the junior varsity team as a middle blocker. She has been a member of the varsity team as a junior and senior. As a team player, Ashlynn is devoted and focuses on the sport to play the best she can for the team. She has developed strong friendships with her team, and they spend time together outside of the volleyball court.
Ashlynn is very generous with her time during and after school days. One activity that has made the greatest impact on her is Peer Assistance Leadership Skills (PALS). “When I discovered my PALee was bullied and humiliated daily, I was horrified, but we worked together to build her confidence, and soon, all of the bullying stopped! Another PALee of mine was battling a life-threatening disease, and I was able to comfort her and give her strength in her darkest moments. Mentoring these lovely young ladies has impacted me as much as it has impacted them, and I am beyond grateful for this wonderful experience.”
Ashlynn leads her peers and devotes her time as vice president of National Honor Society, vice president of PALS, student council member and leader of Students with a Testimony (S.W.A.T.). She also volunteers for Helping Hands, Lunches of Love, Habitat for Humanity and Texana.
As a senior, Ashlynn is diligent, honest, driven to succeed and a very positive person. She is respectful of her teachers. Melanie Applebum, Ashlynn’s Human Growth and Development teacher, is her favorite instructor because she cares about her students and helps them succeed. Ashlynn has a strong work ethic that has motivated her to do the best she can in any situation. Her self-discipline ensures that she meets deadlines and gains a sense of satisfaction to achieve success.
Ashlynn enjoys diversity and is not afraid to try new things at school and at home. Her strong commitment to her religion is admirable. The value she feels is most important is faith. “During my darkest moments, having faith helped me grow as a person, persevere and to remain optimistic.”
As a sophomore, Ashlynn was selected to represent Terry High School as the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Ambassador. She attended a seminar that taught students how to give back to the community and how to be a notable leader on campus. This honor impacted her to continue to grow as a leader, to empathize with her peers and to assist them in any way she could.
Ashlynn was also awarded Geometry and Speech Student of the Year. She would like to go to college at either Shriner University in Kerrville or Texas A&M University in Corpus Christi. Ashlynn is interested in an education career and is currently leaning toward teaching high school students. She also hopes to gain experience in the ministry field, as well as business.
Ashlynn’s dream is to open her very own school with a focus on education, ministry and future preparation, instilling confidence and a sense of purpose into her students. With so much generosity to offer, Ashlynn is posed to make a huge impact in her world.