Q: Class rank?
A: 7th.
Q: Parents’ Names?
A: Suzanne and Russell Ruter.
Q: Future plans?
A: University of Connecticut undecided. Interests in psychology and business.
Q: Honors & Awards?
A: High honor roll, academic growth award (AP world history), academic letter award, Lady Brave Award, academic achievement award (AP biology and Spanish IV), Colonel Emerging Leader Award, Restorative Leadership Award, Student Sage Scholar Award, Sportsmanship Award (varsity swimming) and Senior Sportsmanship Award.
Q: Activities & Sports?
A: Student council (secretary, 2022-2024), International Club (president, 2022-2024), National Honor Society, ALA Empire Girls State, soccer, softball, summer recreation, circle leader.
Q: What is your proudest achievement?
A: Earning a spot in the top ten while being a three-sport athlete and going to states for softball in 2022.
Q: What will you miss most about school?
A: The relationships I’ve built with my teachers, peers and friends throughout the past 12 years. Also being in the same school as my twin brother, Jack.
Q: What’s the most important lesson you learned in high school?
A: I learned the importance of going out and creating experiences yourself. It's so important to take the initiative in life and starting in the school community Avon has built is a great way to start. Join clubs and sports and be active in your community.
Q: What do you hope your life looks like in 10 years?
A: I want to live on the coast in my own house and be in a career that makes me want to get out of bed in the morning.
Q: Who inspires you to do your best?
A: My dad inspires me because he has shown me that in order to get the outcomes you want, you have to be willing to put the work in for it. He has shown me how to be a good person and friend and why that's so important. His personality and work ethic resembles what I want to achieve in life.
Q: What’s your favorite place in Avon?
A: My favorite place in Avon is the turf. It holds so many fond memories of sports, hangouts, and summer fun. I would also say that I love the Downs. I played baseball there for seven years with my dad and brother, made memories on the playground, and love walking in the trails by the stream.
Q: What’s your go-to Tom Wahl’s order?
A: I always get a cheeseburger with lettuce and tomato with a side of fries and a small lemonade.
Q: If you could tell your eighth grade self one thing, what would it be?
A: I would tell her thank you for being so motivated and that I'm in the position I am right now because of her determination.
Q: What do you want people to know about what it’s like to be you, to be your age, at this moment in time?
A: It's a very interesting age to be at this moment in time. We have grown up with phones and social media, an aspect of life our parents didn't have to worry about. But technology has also allowed me to keep in touch with old friends and go on more adventures. I think it's a gift and a curse.
Q: What would the title of your autobiography be?
A: “The Adventures of Lily Ruter.”
Q: Who would play you in a movie about your life?
A: Jennifer Lawrence or Sandra Bullock.
Q: What’s your most-listened to song?
A: “I Did Something Bad,” by Taylor Swift. I listen to this song because it shows a different side of her music that hadn't been shown yet. The song was about her setting boundaries and standing up for herself. It holds so much power and is so inspiring.
Q: What scares you about the future?
A: I'm scared of feeling lost and not knowing what to do. I am one who needs to have a plan and know what I'm getting myself into, but the future is unknown so that scares me.
Q: What gives you hope about the future?
A: I've built many skills here at Avon and I think this school has prepared me for the future. I think of what my family has taught me and all my experiences and I feel prepared and excited for my next steps.
Q: What’s a time when you were stronger than you thought you could be?
A: When I was a junior I decided to discontinue playing basketball. It was a really hard decision for me and I struggled adjusting to it. I ended up working a job that winter and then my senior year I joined the swim team. I would have never thought that would have been my path but I’m so happy it was. My new coworkers and teammates were amazing and I had such a fun time. This experience really taught me that you should not limit yourself to what you think should happen. In other words, try new things even if it is new and scary because you never know what the outcome will be.
Q: Define the word “senioritis” and describe how it’s impacted your life this school year.
A: Senioritis is a very common and contagious mental fog that affects senior students everywhere. Some symptoms include but are not limited to: late assignments, missing assignments, sleeping in class, no more ethics, skipping school, sleeping in, and no motivation. I have struggled with senioritis, once the end of the second quarter was finalized, my motivation and willingness to do assignments decreased. However I want to specify that I was more focused on college-based things like scholarships, FAFSA, and making my final decision. So yes, it is fair to say that I had senioritis, however, my priorities were shifted to my future instead of high school.
Q: What trend or fad did you participate in that you will definitely regret in the future (or actively regret right now)?
A: I think I will probably regret wearing only athletic clothes because all my friends look so cute and I look like I'm going to a workout.
Q: Imagine it’s 2050 and you have teenage kids of your own. What advice would you give your 44(ish)-year-old self about being a good parent?
A: I would tell myself to think about how I was raised and to go based off of that because I love my parents and I think they did alright.