By Cassie Wassink and Renata Stewart
During her years at City High, junior Erin Danielson has involved herself in a wide range of activities, from sports to music to volunteer groups and, despite some challenges along the way, she has thrown herself wholeheartedly into each and every one.
“Being busy makes me do things better,” Danielson said. “I don’t ever procrastinate, because I really don’t ever have a chance to procrastinate.”
Ever the athlete, Danielson has been a valued participant of the cross country, basketball, track and soccer teams both years of high school so far and has continued these pursuits into her junior year.
Women’s cross country coach Tom Mittman spoke about the challenges of committing oneself to a number of different activities.
“The biggest problem Erin has is that she’s good at everything.” Mittman said. “I think it does stretch her thin sometimes. It does cause her dilemmas of having to pick and choose sometimes or just trying to do everything. Erin has generally tried to do everything. To her credit she has been successful and done well in everything.”
This is exemplified by Danielson placing seventh at the State cross country tournament her freshman year.
“She’s done a pretty masterful job of being good at everything and it’s part of who she is.” Mittman said. “What she brings with her positive attitude, enthusiasm and being a team player more than makes up for any minor loss that she might suffer in performance from being a multi-sport athlete.”
On top of her athletics, Danielson is a two-year participant in the All-State Honors Choir, a member of Best Buddies (a student organization that partners high schoolers with special needs students) and is enrolled in multiple high-level honors courses.
With her full schedule, Danielson has found that organization is key.
“I lay out a schedule for my week at the beginning of the week.” Danielson said. “I always do my homework right after school because I know I won’t have time later.”
And it seems to work for her. Rather than being stressed or overwhelmed, Danielson says that she thrives on her diverse activities.
“I love being busy,” she said. “I don’t know what I would do with free time.”