Student In the Spotlight: Emma Sunitsch

Sophomore, Emma Sunitsch is an essential member of the Cascade High School community. Teachers, classmates, and friends all know her as a caring and motivated person, who always encourages other people to be their best selves. Her friend, Vanessa West described her as a person who, “doesn’t hesitate putting others before herself.” 

Emma’s hobbies include being outside doing activities such as hiking and floating the river. Additionally, Emma has a passion for painting. She loves to create “simple landscapes on canvas, mostly mountains,” which she sometimes displays in her room. Mrs. Dillon, Emma’s 3D art teacher said, “She turns in elaborate and carefully constructed art pieces. It is obvious she took her time and worked on the artwork outside of class. Emma takes pride in what she makes and is willing to share her process, opinion, and ideas with others.” Emma is also very close with her family. “My parents are my heroes because I’ve looked up to them my entire life and wouldn’t be here without them,” she said. 

One of Emma’s biggest interests is sports. Emma has been playing Softball for five years, and Volleyball for 7 years. She plays on the Cascade teams for both sports, and is also a member of the Kodiak Club Volleyball team. When asked what she likes about the sports, she said, “I like that they’re team oriented, not individually played. Playing both has created many friendships; that’s one of the main reasons I continue to play.” Emma’s teammate, Ava Northrup, said, “She is constantly focused and is an all-around amazing player, definitely one of the best players I know.”

Besides being an excellent teammate, Emma is also a great student. She said that Natural Resources is her favorite class right now because “it’s a hands-on class. I’m interested in plants especially, and the geology of Washington State, which we are learning about right now.” 

Mrs. Brixey, her English teacher, explained that, “In person, Emma is so polite, always includes everyone in conversation, and thinks through what she will say. When she writes, Emma has some superpowers in the way she describes things.” Similarly, Mrs. Ravits said, “She is highly motivated, engaged, and really likes learning. She’s always checking in with her teachers as well; she really cares about how other people are doing and is just really kind and happy in general.”

Another class Emma is succeeding in is Child Development II. Mrs. Camp, Emma’s teacher for this class, admired that, “She is calm, patient, kind, and hardworking, but these aren't even her strongest attributes.” She added, “She always invites the quietest little kid into the game, especially when they are standing just outside the circle too shy to ask to play; she converses freely with adults and children alike, including the families of our preschool students by sharing tidbits of our school days; and Emma keeps me on my toes by asking the best questions about teaching.” 

When she finishes her sophomore year, Emma plans to do Running Start at Wenatchee Valley College.  After she gets her AA, she plans to go to a university. “I’m thinking of becoming an elementary school teacher or doing something with Biology,” she said. 

Emma is an incredible student, athlete, and friend at Cascade. She is loved by her friends and family for her supportive and caring personality.