Minnetonka High School Senior Spotlight: Michael Golz

Michael Golz is at home with the word and the wild. He spent the summer before his junior year in Montana with an older brother, backpacking and fishing. “I love it for the beautiful places you get to go, the cold water streams and rivers,” he says of fly-fishing, a beloved hobby. He pens a monthly column on Minnesota lakes for Tonka Times magazine, and as commentary writer for the student newspaper, he has covered politics, immersion, and academic intervention this year.  An IB Diploma student, Golz also put his writing skills to use in the Writing Center for three years, where he tutors students at all levels with an authentic interest and desire to help.

His hard work in high school has paid off: The Twin West Chamber of Commerce awarded him their $5,000 Legacy Scholarship, and the Elks National Foundation recently announced that Michael will receive $40,000 as a top-ranking Most Valuable Student Scholarship winner, an honor bestowed to outstanding scholars and leaders.

Though he is an accomplished scholar who has garnered national attention, he stands out for his humanity and a genuine love of ideas. “Mike has pursued knowledge and understanding of the world more than trophies and awards,” says his English teacher, Sue Sinkler. In papers that his teachers say are some of the best they’ve seen, he has explored the Arthurian legends and examined the implications of North Dakota’s oil boom. Respected by teachers and peers for more than just his smarts, Golz’s wit was on display at the Homecoming Pepfest: as a member of Court, he danced his way into the auditorium to the Star Wars theme, brandishing a light saber.

Golz gives credit to his mother for developing his strong work ethic, and says his dad inspired his creative, musical interests. This fall, he will attend Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, which seems like a perfect fit, with its emphasis on undergraduate research and multidisciplinary study. He plans to focus on economics or science, possibly even aiming for medical school, but says he’ll continue writing and exploring new lakes and rivers.

Written by Maggie Shea