Lodi High valedictorian one step closer to childhood dream
Lodi High senior Mia Shanholzer knew what she wanted to do with her life when she was no more than 4 years old.
"I lined all my stuffed animals up and played doctor," she said. Her play even included breaking bad news to make-believe family members.
"I'm sorry, but she didn't make it," was her opening line.
Now, 14 years later, the unstoppable Shanholzer is continuing down the same path with plans to major in bioengineering at University of California, Berkeley. She hopes to become a doctor specializing in reconstructive surgery.
Only this time, the patients will be real.
Though her aspirations came at an early age, the 18-year-old has stayed the course during her four years at Lodi High. Maintaining a Grade Point Average of 4.48, Shanholzer has always managed to stay one step ahead of the game.
An impressive list of club membership and activities includes Science Club president, S-Club, Friday Night Live, Nerd's Club council member, math lab tutoring, private tutoring and cheerleading.
One of the most defining moments of Shanholzer's high school career came when she volunteered to help her mother, who works with special needs students at the Walton Special Education Center in Stockton.
Shanholzer taught swimming classes seven hours a day for four weeks. She did this for a few years and came to learn the importance of helping others.
"I really want to work to improve (people's) quality of life," she said.
As focused as Shanholzer was on her studies, she chose a different avenue of expression for the theme of her senior project — culinary arts.
The Lodi High senior stepped outside the box to plan and prepare a fund-raiser dinner for as many as 80 people, according to culinary arts teacher Myra Round.
"She was a gift to me," Round said.
The student's Asian-European fusion meal included marinated pork with five-spice apples and garlic mashed potatoes. It turned out so well, she said, that she wouldn't mind one day thinking of opening up a restaurant.
Whatever she does, Shanholzer feels sure that she will succeed with the help of friends and family, and the person she's become during her time at Tokay High.
"I've changed a lot since my freshman year," she said. "I'm proud to be an individual."
Contact reporter Sara Cardine at sarac@lodinews.com.