Uehling earns February honors
Pinnacle Bank has named Tessa Uehling as its February Senior of the Month, recognizing her outstanding commitment to academics, extracurricular involvement, leadership and community service.
Uehling is the daughter of Adam and Amber Uehling. Throughout her high school career, she has been actively involved in a wide range of activities. She participated in volleyball from ninth through twelfth grade and served as a team captain during her senior season. She competed in basketball during her ninth, tenth and eleventh grade years and took part in track during ninth through eleventh grade. Uehling was also a member of the cheerleading squad from ninth through eleventh grade and participated in the school musical during her ninth and tenth grade years.
Her involvement extended beyond athletics and fine arts. Uehling was a member of One Act in ninth, tenth and twelfth grades, served on student council during ninth through eleventh grade and participated in speech during her freshman year. She has been active in FFA from ninth through eleventh grade and volunteered annually at the junior high volleyball tournament from ninth through twelfth grade. Additional service included volunteering with the Grant Volunteer Fire Department during her junior year and working the FFA lemonade stand at the county fair in junior and senior years. She began as an Ag day volunteer in ninth grade and advanced to an Ag Day leader in tenth and eleventh grades.
Uehling’s dedication has been recognized through numerous awards and honors. She earned honor roll distinction in ninth, tenth and eleventh grades, received her FFA Greenhand Degree as a freshman and served as an FFA state courtesy corps member during her junior year. She qualified for state cheerleading competition in tenth and eleventh grades, was elected class treasurer in eleventh grade and was named to the homecoming court during her senior year.
Outside of school, Uehling is an active member of Zion Lutheran Church, where she volunteers with Vacation Bible School. She also competed on the Grant softball team in ninth, tenth and twelfth grades and was selected to the softball all-star game as a senior. She is also enrolled in a certified nursing assistant course.
When asked about her work history and lessons learned, Uehling cited babysitting children ranging from six months to ten years old, providing office cleaning services for Helena Agri-Enterprises, completing internships at the elementary school and Perkins County High School concession stand, working with Uehling Landscaping and Propagate, and completing internships with the Grant Fire Department and Grant Hospital. She noted that these experiences taught her responsibility, adaptability and the value of a strong work ethic.
Looking ahead, Uehling plans to attend a four-year college to earn her bachelor’s degree, followed by four years of medical school. During medical school, she intends to join the United States Navy and ultimately pursue a career as an anesthesiologist.
Uehling said her greatest accomplishment has been successfully balancing academics, extracurricular activities and personal life. “It is important to me to maintain good grades, healthy relationships and still stay involved in the activities I am passionate about,” she said. “Balancing all of these is often difficult, but I feel accomplished being able to do so.”
Reflecting on her high school experience, Uehling emphasized the importance of building meaningful relationships. She credited her activities with helping her meet people with shared interests and different perspectives, teaching her that strong relationships require honesty, effort and consideration.
Uehling also expressed gratitude for the support of the community, noting its consistent encouragement through attendance at events, opportunities to job shadow and everyday interactions. She said giving back through volunteer work, including assisting the fire department and helping at the senior center, has helped her grow in leadership, independence and service.
Through her dedication and involvement, Uehling exemplifies the qualities celebrated by the Pinnacle Bank Senior of the Month program.
For being selected Senior of the Month, Uehling’s picture will hang in the lobby of Pinnacle Bank in Grant and she will be eligible for a scholarship awarded at the end of the school year.
The Student of the Month and scholarship program are sponsored jointly by community members and Pinnacle Bank in Grant.