For Camryn Mikesell, being named salutatorian represents the culmination of four years of hard work and sharing it with a good friend who was named valedictorian.“It’s good that we’re both able to succeed in a goal that we set for ourselves,” Mikesell said. “We were just both kind of challenging each other to be better. We’re just motivating each other to try our best.”
Along with her friend Britney Hatfield, they are the top students in Hahnville High School’s 2017 graduation class.
Mikesell’s awards are numerous, including Hahnville and St. Charles Parish Student of the Year, Engineering Achievement Award, Highest Math and English GPA in ninth and tenth grade, Summa Cum Laude, Superintendent’s List, National Merit Scholar and tennis 1st team all-district.
The senior, daughter of Paul and Stephanie Mikesell of Luling, was a member of the Student Council, Beta Club, National Honor Society, International Thespian Society and Spanish Honor Society.
Mikesell’s high school activities include tennis, band and cross country running.
Her desire to pursue a career in chemical engineering surfaced early. She tried building a bridge, as well as electrical and computer engineering – none of it worked for her. Her focus returned to chemical engineering.
Being named a national Merit Scholar is one of her proudest moments. She’s also studied engineering at the Satellite Center and received the engineering award for her work.
“In this challenging high school engineering class, I was still able to achieve this and maintain a 4.0 GPA,” Mikesell said.
The recognition is a good fit for her, particularly with her plans to attend Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, to study chemical engineering.
“I’d like to work at a chemical plant working on the day-to-day processes,” she said. “And I would eventually work on my MBA and work into a management position at the plant.”
Both of her parents are chemical engineers, and likely influenced her career choice. Although she attempted other types of engineering, she didn’t have the same interest in them as she did in chemical engineering. She also attributes her interest to growing up in St. Charles Parish’s heavy chemical base.
Mikesell said she likes chemistry and engineering, and the way it can improve the world by making it safer and more efficient.
“I just like chemistry and the balancing of equations of making things happen,” she said. “You have control over this product, watching over it and you’re making something.”
The HHS senior said becoming an avid reader early in life supported many of her achievements, as well as her interests.
“I like to read a lot,” Mikesell said. “I always have books with me, sometimes two to three, depending on my mood. Books and literacy are important to me, and travel.”
At a Louisiana youth seminar, Mikesell recalled meeting people from all over Louisiana.
“Just getting to meet all these different people made me realize that even if we seem different we still have something in common,” she said. “It made me realize you need to get out there or you’re going to miss some really extraordinary people.”
But it’s her family and friends that have had the most impact of her success.
“They support me to do my best, especially my mom,” she said.
The future is open for Mikesell, who describes herself as driven, passionate and adventurous.
“I like new challenges in life,” she said.
She’s ready for Texas A&M, a challenge that Mikesell said will afford her the opportunity to study abroad in Italy this summer. It also allows her to travel and meet new people, which she wants to do more of in life.
And from there, Mikesell added, “I guess I continually push myself out of my comfort zones, and I got outside of my head and started living.”
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