Senior Profile: Elgin's Katey Roberts encourages kids to ask for help

Elgin High School senior Katey Roberts said she is ready to enter the next phase of her life and believes the people she has met along the way thus far have helped to prepare her for whatever comes her way.

"Everyone here at Elgin, especially the teachers, they have taught me so much," Roberts said. "I feel like they have definitely shaped who I am, as a leader and as an adult − which is crazy to say. I have grown so much just because of the people here."

Reflecting back on her time in school and how she handled different situations that arose, Roberts encouraged her fellow students not to try to "go it alone," but to seek out assistance when they need it.

"Ask for help," Roberts said. "Your teachers are here to help you. You can go to them. Especially the high school teachers. They're so great. So don't be afraid to ask for help."

Roberts said she enjoyed being part of student council at Elgin. She's been a member of council all four years in high school and is vice president of the senior class.

"I love student council," Roberts said. "I've learned a lot about leadership, especially with that group of people. They're such a great group of people. It's been so much fun to be around the other students and (the student council adviser) Mrs. Brown."

The senior class officers have been working on a mural of a tree located in the stairwell near the high school office, Roberts said. The leaves on the tree will represent each member of the Elgin High School Class of 2023.

In addition to serving as a member of student council, Roberts has been part of the color guard for the Elgin High School marching band and was a member of the Comets girls' swimming team.

Her immediate plans include going to Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware with the goal of eventually pursuing a career as an orthopedic surgeon. She is going to major in biology and pre-med.

"I haven't decided which medical school I want to go to yet," Roberts said. "It does take a lot of schooling to become an orthopedic surgeon, but it looks like it's something that I would enjoy and it's interesting to me."

Roberts said she was able to get a sneak peek of sorts at her future career during her senior year. Caitlin Gracely, the career pathways coordinator at Elgin, arranged for her to engage in a job shadowing activity with a local orthopedic surgeon.

"I actually got to watch two knee replacements and a hip replacement," Roberts said. "I was actually in the operating room and got to see everything that the doctors did. It was sweet. Mrs. Gracely tries to get every senior into an internship, or even paid internships, just to get us out there and learn new things or get our foot in the door for a job. She has had a huge impact on me."

Roberts said she first became interested in pursuing a career as an orthopedic surgeon as a result of her father's medical issues and multiple surgeries.

"The way the doctors have helped him and improved his life has been interesting to me," Roberts said. "I really like that aspect of being a doctor, being able to help people."

Another individual at Elgin High School who has had a significant influence on Roberts is Principal Chad Cunningham.

"He is just the best principal ever," Roberts said.

While a student at Elgin, Roberts has taken several college credit plus classes through Marion Technical College and Columbus State Community College. She said she has taken anatomy, calculus, psychology, geology, and other courses, which have all been interesting for her.

Roberts is the daughter of Theresa and Tom Roberts. She has one sibling.

Graduation day at Elgin High School is scheduled for May 21.

Email: ecarter@gannett.com | Twitter: @AndrewACCarter

This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Senior Profile: Elgin's Katey Roberts encourages kids to ask for help