WEST MIFFLIN — Drum Major of the Titan Thunder Marching Band. Student government secretary. Member of the AFJROTC program. Even the Ski Club and serving as a student secretary.
If West Mifflin offers it, there’s a chance Madyson Michalski, a senior at West Mifflin Area High School, has tried it.
“I feel like I’m in a million things,” she joked.
But, she added, it’s helped shape her high school experience and even guided her toward her college and career plans.
Through her participation in these clubs and career exploration days, Michalski was able to learn about different paths she could take after her time at WMAHS. And, she added, the clubs also encouraged and helped her to stay on top of her academics.
“I was able to see different careers and stuff. They want to make sure that you’re doing well. (Clubs) also really keep you on track academically,” Michalski said.
She also credits her time in student government, as it put her alongside peers also striving for high achievement.
“It’s a small group of students, but everyone in here works really hard. I’ve had good mentorship (in student government),” she said.
There’s also the leadership skills she’s built through taking on responsibilities in her organizations.
Those experiences, along with a conversation with a friend in the field, have pushed Michalski toward the speech pathology career path. She recently was accepted into the University of Pittsburgh.
“When I was reading the job description, I really liked the balance between possibly working at a hospital or possibly working at a school. I like the idea of working with kids, so I can do that with both (a hospital or a school) and still be in a healthcare setting,” she said.
Michalski’s favorite subjects at West Mifflin have been world history and American history, and she also enjoys English. In fact, Michalski said if she weren’t going into speech pathology, she likely would want to do something involving English.
When she moves on from West Mifflin, she says there are plenty of things she’ll miss.
“I’m definitely going to miss the AFJROTC program and all the clubs that I’m involved in, and I’m definitely going to miss my friend group,” she said. “I have really enjoyed my high school experience. I got really involved, and I’ve made some good friends.”
Her advice to younger students is, “Don’t be afraid to ask for help, because there’s always someone willing to give you a hand.”