JEFF FIELDER Editor
ALLIANCE – Maycee Quick, a senior at Alliance High School, has been named Nspire Today!’s Female Student of the Week, sponsored by First State Bank. She has a 4.0 GPA. She participates in Key Club, National Honor Society, the NSAA Student Advisory Committee, and she’s the secretary for student council. In addition, she’s involved in cheerleading. She’s been on the varsity cheer squad since her freshman year, and she’s a UCA All-American and three-time NCA Top All-American. She’s also the varsity captain. She’s a volunteer for the TeamMates program. Her parents are Tara and Deon Quick.
Q: Out of all the activities you participate in, which one do you enjoy the most?
QUICK: “Definitely NSAA SAC. I get to travel seasonally to Lincoln, and we’ll talk about sportsmanship and leadership and how we can help promote those things in our communities.”
Q: How many years have you been involved in NSAA SAC?
QUICK: “Two years.”
Q: How did you get involved with that program?
QUICK: “My sophomore year my school principal asked me to apply for it, so I decided to apply. I think this year there’s 18 kids on the committee. They’re from all over the state.”
Q: How much do you enjoy trying to make a difference at your school and in your community?
QUICK: “I’ve always enjoyed trying to encourage people and influence people positively.”
Q: To you, how important is it to earn excellent grades?
QUICK: “It’s very important to me. I feel like I’ve set my goals high, and I’ve always wanted to do the best I can in everything I do.”
Q: How does it feel to have a 4.0 GPA as a senior?
QUICK: “It just feels good to know that my hard work has paid off.”
Q: Does it feel surreal that you’re a senior?
QUICK: “Yes, the years have gone by fast, but I’m really excited to graduate.”
Q: What are your plans after you graduate from high school?
QUICK: “I plan to go to the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and study nutrition science.”
Q: Why did you want to go into that field?
QUICK: “Last summer I was able to do an internship at Box Butte General Hospital, and it really opened my eyes to the medical field. People in the medical field are always helping people, and that’s what I want to do. Also, I really like to study healthy lifestyles. I want to see how I can help people be healthy. That’s why I really want to be a dietician.”
Q: Are you pretty focused on nutrition right now?
QUICK: “Yes. I’m in journalism, and I have a health and wellness column, so that’s cool.”
Q: What are some of the topics you’ve focused on in your column?
QUICK: “I’ve talked about eating the right foods; how sleeping schedules are important; and I’ve also talked about Juuling [vaping] as far as how many kids have been suffering from Juul addictions. I’ve also talked about alcohol and how it affects teenagers.”
Q: Have you always been interested in living a healthy lifestyle?
QUICK: “I think I’ve really grown into it. I wouldn’t say I was really interested in it my freshman year, but since then I’ve become more interested in health.”
Q: How much have you enjoyed your high school career up to this point?
QUICK: “It’s been great. I’ve really enjoyed high school.”
Q: What is your favorite class this year?
QUICK: “My favorite class is probably ceramics, which is weird for me because I’m not totally an artist. But it’s been really fun to work with clay and stuff.”
Q: What do you feel is your biggest accomplishment so far in high school?
QUICK: “My biggest accomplishment is definitely my ACT score [27]. I took a lot of time to study for it, and I’m really proud of the score I got.”
Q: Why did you decide to go to college at UNL?
QUICK: “I think it’s always been a dream of mine. Also, my brother goes there, and he really enjoys it. And we’re really big Husker fans, so I think it will be fun to go to school there.”
Q: In your opinion, who do you think is the kindest student at Alliance High School this year?
QUICK: “I would say Crystal Garza [senior]. She’s always welcoming people in, and she’s kind no matter what.”
Q: Who or what inspires you?
QUICK: “My mom [Tara Quick]. She’s inspired me a lot. She’s always been there for me, and she always gives the best advice. Who I am today can really be credited to her.”
Q: Who are your siblings?
QUICK: “I have three older brothers – Tanner [24], Kolton [23], and Dawson [20].”
Q: What has it been like to grow up with three older brothers?
QUICK: “I would say I’ve definitely been spoiled. I’m the baby of the family. They’ve always had my back and have protected me, which has been really nice.”
Q: Have you always lived in Alliance?
QUICK: “Yes.”
Q: How much have you enjoyed growing up in Alliance?
QUICK: “I love Alliance. It’s a small community, and everyone knows each other and everyone supports each other. I’ve enjoyed growing up here.”
Q: What is your favorite local restaurant?
QUICK: “I’d have to say Mi Ranchito. They have the best Queso.”
Q: If you could give a shoutout to one business in Alliance, which one would it be and why?
QUICK: “Western Roots Salon. I get my hair done there, and I think they have the best staff. They’re a go-to for anyone who wants to get their hair done.”
Q: Name one person who you think is a big difference-maker in the Alliance community.
QUICK: “Roxie Smith. She’s a teacher at the high school. She’s kind, and she’s so helpful to anyone. I think she influences everyone in Alliance.”
Q: What is your favorite TV show?
QUICK: “The Office.”
Q: What kind of music do you enjoy listening to?
QUICK: “Country music.”
Q: What is one thing you wish people would do more of?
QUICK: “I would say paying more attention to the environment – like recycling and using reusable water bottles. I’d like to see people do what they can with what they have.”
Q: What is one place in the WyoBraska region that you recommend people visit?
QUICK: “Carhenge. They have pretty cool stuff up there.”
Q: Is there anything that Alliance doesn’t have that you wish Alliance did have?
QUICK: “I wish Alliance had a Runza. That would be nice.”
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