A lesson about moving forward from mistakes and challenges from her third-grade teacher is something Annika Lindemann has never forgotten; in fact, it’s been a driving force for her ever since.

This helps explain her involvement in school activities while maintaining an impressive academic standing. When asked about what she considers her most challenging and fun activities while in high school, she said, “It comes back to the clubs, they’re both fun and very challenging because I tend to over-involve myself, which is on me.”

Speech and debate was an example she cited where she applied that long-ago-learned lesson that came to mind. She said speech and debate, in particular, fit the category of fun and challenging. “It’s one of the things I work the hardest for because it’s the one that’s come the least easily for me, but it’s also where I’ve grown the most,” she explained.

“You have to write, edit, rewrite and then memorize something that’s 10 minutes max. I’d been working really hard and felt overwhelmed by the time I got on stage,” she said. “I just forgot what I was going to say. I was mortified in the moment and embarrassed, but I learned from that, and when I made that same presentation again, I placed really high, so I was really proud of myself because it taught me a lot.”

Overcoming challenges and turning them into fun experiences is something Annika seems to do naturally. In her Best & Brightest application, she recounted her experience of moving to Germany as an 11-year-old. She’d fallen asleep on a display bed in Ikea. After being rudely awakened by an employee in an unfamiliar language, she pleaded, unsuccessfully, with her parents to move back to the States.

The family stayed put, and Annika slowly embraced being in a foreign country where she not only made friends but also learned the language and discovered that making the effort to accept the changes had its benefits, even if it wasn’t always easy.

Annika described her schedule as “complicated.” It’s easy to see why: She has leadership roles in the school’s National Honor Society, DECA, student council, Key Club, Environmentalism Club, and Suicide Prevention Partnership Teen Board, among others. She also participates in track, theatre, speech and debate.

“Being so involved, I’ve had to learn how to manage my time,” she said. “Trying to study, meet commitments, and stay fit for track all mean I had to find a good balance, but I feel super good about all of it.”

Annika said she’s “exploring her options” regarding college plans. She may take next year to serve a mission for her church. When she does enroll in college, she wants to pursue communications and international relations. She said, “I have a desire to work in international scientific communications, but another desire is to work in humanitarian efforts.” She identified the United Nations as the best place to pursue these.

Meanwhile, Annika continues to enjoy her busy schedule, which allows her to interact with others. “I love to be able to be around people while learning about them,” she said.