Clearwater senior Macie Groth was named one of this year’s nominees for the Minnesota State High School League’s Triple A Award (Academics, Arts, and Athletics). The award honors high school seniors throughout the state who have a 3.0 or higher grade point average and who participate in league-sponsored athletic and fine arts activities.

Groth, who attends Annandale High School, is deserving of the recognition. During her high school years, she’s been involved in band and jazz band, speech, one act play, cross country, visual arts, and the Annandale Ambassador program. She’s also a member of the National Honor Society, student council, the Gay Straight Alliance, Equity Club, and Key Club, and during the summers has worked as a nanny and a staff member at Camp Chi Rho, where she cooks, cleans, and performs groundskeeping. 

“I just wanted to try things out,” said Groth. “See what I liked to do and meet new people.”

Groth has learned something different from every activity she’s been part of. 

“In Equity Club, I learned a lot about different cultures and how to talk about things that are uncomfortable,” she said. “In student council, I’ve started taking a larger part in things. I’ve learned how to be in a leadership position and gotten more involved with the teachers.”

She’s also learned perseverance. For example, Groth has played the flute since she started band at the end of fifth grade. This past summer, she decided she wanted to try out for jazz band, which flutes aren’t part of. So she learned how to play the saxophone, which is. 

Along with all her activities, academics have been important to her throughout her school career, as she’s strived and succeeded to be the best in that area of her life as well.

“I love to-do lists,” she said. 

Groth was in band when she found out she’d been nominated. Each school can nominate one male and one female student, and the band students were told that this year’s Triple A Award nominees were both in the room. They then announced Groth and Sal (Salvador) Wirth as the recipients.

“They announced Sal’s name and then mine,” said Groth. “I was excited but surprised; I was surrounded by my talented peers who also deserved the nomination.”

It was an unexpected announcement for another reason. Groth and Wirth have been dating throughout their high school years. Throughout that time, they’ve pushed each other to excel and to try new things. 

“It’s been such an honor to be nominated and to go to the banquet,” she said. 

Her advice for students is good advice for everyone.

“Definitely prioritize mental health,” she said. “Don’t add too much, but if you want to try something, go for it. Watch the balance in everything in your life.”

After graduation, Groth plans to attend the University of Minnesota Duluth for marketing and photography. She is the daughter of Allan and Wendy Groth.