photo by: Richard Gwin/Lawrence Journal-World

The Journal-World's 2011 Academic All-Star's are seen in this file photo. The 2011 Academic All-Stars. Front row, from left, are Anna Stone, Ottawa; Corinne Hoffhines, McLouth; Madison Hunter, Tonganoxie; Ann Wallsmith, Baldwin; and Shereen Fattaahi, Veritas Christian School. Back row, from left, are Rosemarie Murray, Lawrence Free State; Marshall Thurman, Bishop Seabury; Carson Barnes, Baldwin; and Angela Hawkins, Santa Fe Trail.

Each year, the Journal-World reaches out to the Academic All-Stars from 10 years ago to see what they’ve been up to since high school. Here’s what some of the members of the 2011 class told us via email:

Madison Frech

photo by: Contributed photo

Madison Frech

Frech graduated from Tonganoxie High School and planned to attend Emporia State University to study mathematics and to become a secondary math teacher because she enjoyed helping others learn.

Where are you and what do you do 10 years later?

“I currently reside in Coffeyville. I am a Horizon Award-winning teacher, teaching robotics and high school mathematics in the Cherryvale school district. My husband and I also own and run Terebinth Coffee House and Roastery in Coffeyville.”

What is your advice to the class of 2021?

“As you are moving forward into this next stage of your life, remember your passions and the things that you value. Be intentional about staying in touch with those that you care about and intentionally be present in every moment. The time will go by much quicker than you expect, and you don’t want to look back and regret any time wasted.”

Ann Eddy

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Anna Eddy

Eddy graduated from Baldwin High School and planned to attend the University of Kansas to study chemical engineering, but she said she was interested in working in the pharmaceutical field to help improve medicine.

Where are you and what do you do 10 years later?

“Right now I work in Kansas City, Mo., as a project engineer for Ingredion, (an ingredients provider).”

What is your advice to the class of 2021?

“Get comfortable with failure, because that’s usually when you learn the most. If the Academic All Stars of 2021 are anything like I was, I wasn’t used to failing. The sooner you learn that failure is necessary for growth, the sooner you learn how to recover and improve — and that is what will lead to success.”

Shereen Campbell

photo by: Contributed photo

Shereen Campbell

In 2011, Campbell graduated from Veritas Christian School and planned to study chemistry and work to become a plastic surgeon, which she told the Journal-World is “an art to surgery.” But she said at the time she was undecided on where she would attend college.

Where are you and what do you do 10 years later?

“I currently live in Branson, Mo., after attending school there at College of the Ozarks. Since graduating from college, I have worked as an orthopedic nurse on the post-operative floor at the local hospital, Cox Medical Center Branson. I’m hoping to eventually continue schooling to advance my career in healthcare, but first, I’m attempting to tackle motherhood as my first child should make his arrival in May 2021.”

What is your advice to the class of 2021?

“Don’t get so set on becoming one thing that you miss out on taking advantage of your true talents. Sometimes life leads you in another direction, and it’s OK to follow that path.”

Marshall Taylor Thurman

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Marshall Thurman

Thurman attended Bishop Seabury Academy and always wanted to work as an actor, in both film and theater. In 2011, they told the Journal-World they planned to major in theater and eventually work as an actor, although they had not yet decided on where to attend college.

Where are you and what do you do 10 years later?

“After graduating from high school, I moved to New York City, studying acting at Fordham University. I’ve lived in the city since then, steadily building my career as an actor. I have worked at regional theatres in Maine, Pennsylvania, Idaho, among others, and in 2019, I made my Off-Broadway debut. As a day job, I work as an educator and caregiver, with kids with special needs. Despite the industry setbacks from the pandemic, I remain determined to both further my career as a non-binary actor and work towards rebuilding a more protective and inclusive industry for actors and artists.”

What is your advice to the class of 2021?

“The foundational acting teacher Constantin Stanislavski said, “How you do one thing, is how you do everything.” So, wherever life may lead you, in whatever field you work, whatever you choose to do, do it with care, with consideration, and with empathy.”

Angela Hawkins

photo by: Contributed photo

Angela Hawkins

Hawkins graduated from Santa Fe High School and planned to attend the University of Kansas. She said she wanted to attend the university’s journalism school and become a newspaper reporter, noting she was a fan of Katie Couric.

Where are you and what do you do 10 years later?

“After graduating from the University of Kansas in 2014, I moved to the Kansas City, Mo., metro area and grew even more passionate about public and community service. Now, I serve as the Grants Compliance Manager for a multi-state early literacy nonprofit called The Literacy Lab, managing government grant administration and supporting program compliance. I’m passionate about AmeriCorps and service years and work to raise awareness of those opportunities in our communities.”

What is your advice to the class of 2021?

“Approach everything you do with curiosity and use every opportunity to learn and grow.”

The Journal-World was unable to reach 2011 honorees Anna Stone, Ottawa; Corinne Hoffhines, McLouth; Carson Barnes, Baldwin; Rosemarie Murray, Free State; and David Lawrence, Bishop Seabury.