As of March 2016, Julia Sponholtz has read 86 books and counting. With a number of extracurriculars and her jam-packed school schedule that consists of five AP classes, she stays busy all year round.

“I’m in the Robotics club, choir and this year I’m the president of the book club,” Julia said. “Over the summers I volunteer at the Science Center.”

Julia is currently deciding between three schools: Loyola University Chicago, University of Alabama and New College of Florida. After taking science classes at KHS, she now plans on pursuing a career in science, most likely biology.

“My dream job is to be a Forensic Anthropologist, which is looking at the bones of human remains to determine how the person lived or how tall they were,” Julia said. “It can also be used for solving murders.”

Julia said after taking Dr. Bourque’s Honors Biology class, it opened her eyes to the possibilities in science. Julia said Dr. Bourque was among the most influential teachers she had at KHS.

“[Julia] was always very quiet and smiled all the time,” June Bourque, biology teacher, said. “She was always very focused and did her work to a T. As we went through the class, she really began to like it and develop more of a passion for it.”

Julia will finish high school with her best friend, Lorelei Harvey, by her side. Lorelei and Julia have been friends since third grade.

“I admire the fact that [Julia] can go home and watch six hours of TV and do all of her homework,” Lorelei, senior, said. “I’m pretty sure she doesn’t sleep.”

Through other activities, such as being a part of the marching band and wind ensemble, Julia has received a full KHS experience. Dr. Bourque said not only is Julia focused academically, but she is also very involved in extracurriculars, which makes her a strong student.

“She is a really well-rounded individual, which I think gives her strength in many areas,” Bourque said. “[Honors Biology] let her see how much biology encompassed. It really opened her up to the potential she had later in life.”