Heartland Beat Student of the Month – January 2016

Senior Vanessa Hiebner was nominated as the Heartland Beat Student of the Month. “She has really stepped up for me often in NHS this year. She has a knack for being there when I need someone to help assemble and organize things,” said Heartland English teacher Nora Ohrt, who nominated Hiebner. 

Besides being an active NHS member, Hiebner is serving as the current FFA president. She is working on an independent FFA study and preparing for testing on a floral culture project. Her family is no stranger to taking on leadership roles in FFA. “My Grandpa Hiebner, Dad, and older brother Matt all were past FFA presidents,” said Hiebner. 

During her high school career she has participated in band, chorus, jazz band, chamber singers, volleyball and track. She plans on attending Wayne State College next fall where she will major in Exercise Science. “I was encouraged by Coach Maltsberger last summer when he saw how much I enjoyed working out, that I should pursue a career in personal training,” said Hiebner. 

Two years of high school Spanish have come in handy for Hiebner. She was able to go on two mission trips to Mexicali, Mexico last year working at an orphanage assisting with VBS and an English class. “It really helped increase my Spanish speaking when I went there and had to use it in real conversations,” said Hiebner. This summer she will spend two weeks in Haiti helping in an orphanage there through Grace Mission. 

Hiebner definitely has the heart of a volunteer in and out of the classroom. Her willingness to volunteer and help out with projects was also appreciated by Mrs. Ohrt. Congratulations to Vanessa for being an outstanding Heartland Beat Student of the Month!

Written by Shannon Siebert