Editor’s note: The Future Leaders of America series profiles high school seniors who display leadership qualities in their school and the community. The series is brought to you by Pridemark Construction.
By Stacey Shannon—
MUNCIE, IN—Gymnastics has been a passion for Burris Laboratory School senior Lucy Rutter since she was 6. She continues to compete in club gymnastics and is proud to have overcome challenges after having an operation last May to put a screw in her ankle. Recently, she competed in her first meet post-surgery.
“It’s a pretty rough recovery,” Rutter said. “I’m really proud of being able to come back to gymnastics after that type of injury.”
When she’s not flipping around in gymnastics, Rutter also runs on the school’s track team and has been a member of the Student Council, serving as its communications director for the past two years.
Last year, as a junior, she also founded a chapter of Students Demand Action, a national organization that focuses on preventing gun violence. She was inspired to do so after a school shooting in Texas at the end of her sophomore year.
“Gun violence is something that affects students a lot,” she said. “That was something I felt called to do to help our community and feel safer at our school knowing that I’m at least trying to make a difference with gun violence.”
Rutter and SDA have held activities focusing on mental health at school, held a protest in downtown Muncie last spring and participate in the Indiana State House’s Advocacy Day each January.
“I really like that day,” Rutter said. “It’s good to be able to talk to your legislators and tell them what makes a difference to you.”
Since she enjoys public speaking, Rutter was especially honored at the 2023 Advocacy Day to introduce a senator. She also gave a speech at Burris’ 2023 graduation.
Rutter said being involved with her school is important, and she wants to contribute to the school as much as she can.
“I love my school; I love Burris,” she said. “It’s such a great school, and I think it’s so nice to give back to it and make it a better school.”
With all her activities, Rutter has learned how to manage her time by being highly productive during the day and asking for help from friends or mentors when she needs it.
She plans to use those skills going forward to college in the fall. Rutter plans to study something related to sports medicine like exercise science, kinesiology or sports therapy.
As she looks back over her high school career, Rutter has advice for the students coming up behind her.
“Don’t be afraid to try new things,” she said. “If it’s a cause that you really care about, it’s important to really try it out and try to make it work as best as you can.”
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