Morgan Buerster

I’m willing to do things for other people, especially my friends.

By Nate Fisher

Morgan has already made significant moves toward becoming someone with the power to “change the game.” A senior this year, she’s proud to hold the title of Illinois State Scholar. “It’s an honor that I get recognized for having good grades through high school because I’ve worked very hard to keep my grades up throughout,” she says. As someone primarily focused on academics instead of sports and other extracurriculars, she identifies the Illinois State Scholar distinction as “something to work towards that has kept me motivated.”

Not that she only busies herself with books; far from it! Morgan often finds herself swept up in the current of music, whether as a drum major, saxophone player, or dedicated musical cast member. This year she’ll star as Sophie in the school’s production of Mamma Mia!, a lead role that has her feeling “really nervous but excited.” When she’s not making music on stage, in a parade or at a concert, you can catch her with two of her friends performing the “Star Spangled Banner” at basketball games and graduation ceremonies. We would expect nothing less from a member of a group that calls itself the “Star Spangled Banner Club.” “I’m a music person,” she says with conviction.

She also makes a different type of music with a welding rod. Several months ago, her boyfriend showed her how to stick weld, and she enjoys it enough that she’s considering applying to Olney Central College to obtain a welding certificate. “If I enjoy it, then I’ll try to get a job in that field,” she says, “or I’ll find something else.” However, Morgan isn’t counting other career options out, instead opting to “see where this takes [her].” No matter what career she settles on, she plans to escape the state and move to “anywhere except Illinois.” She’s a vocal opponent of our state taxation policies and believes she’d fare better anywhere to the west or south. Her relocation dream includes a home she’s designed, a “good husband,” and a couple of kids, “maybe.”

Morgan’s family and friends influence her “simple acts of kindness” attitude. “I’ve always admired my dad for all of his hard work,” she says, “and my mom’s always so understanding and flexible with everything in life.” She’s held onto the same friends for a long time and often makes friends from “everywhere.” If her friends described her, she claims they’d call her “super laid back and weird.” “I’m pretty upfront,” she admits. “I’m willing to do things for other people, especially my friends.”

Her senior year has been bustling between school, a part-time job, and musical rehearsals, but she says that she’s pledged to make more plans with her friends “instead of spending all [her] life working.” Spending time with those we care about the most is a surefire way to continue peddling simple acts of kindness, a practice that will carry Morgan further than perhaps she knows at the moment. After all, how does that expression go? “A butterfly flaps its wings and a breeze goes around the world.” We’ve spoken to enough students in our time to know that small actions lead to meaningful change, and Morgan is bound for both.