“Whatever you choose to do, leave tracks. That means don’t do it just for yourself. You will want to leave the world a little better for your having lived.” — Ruth Bader Ginsburg. 

As a member of the marching band, musical, president of Tri-M, and the Spanish National honors society, senior Madison Kraynick has been able to display her leadership while leaving her tracks for her peers to follow.

Although she is involved in numerous activities, Madison favors one in particular, being the vice president of the reading competitions at Greater Latrobe School District. Not only did this opportunity allow her mind to grow, the reading competition inspired her within the field of law. “Reading Notorious RBG for the Reading Competition in eighth grade opened my mind to learning about all the things she’d achieved for women’s rights through law,” referenced Kraynick. 

In addition, during Madison’s freshman year, she read another book for the Reading Competition, Just Mercy, which was written by a lawyer who helped innocent and unjustly sentenced people to get off of death row in the South. “It really helped me see how law, especially civil rights, and constitutional law, could help people,” said Kraynick.

Not only did books guide Madison to the pathway of success, but so did her role model, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who was the first Jewish female Supreme Court Justice,  impacting the lives of many women throughout the country.“If I could have half the positive impact on people’s lives as she did I would consider my career goals fulfilled,” stated Kraynick.

Gallery • 6 Photos

Madison as a soldier in "Pippin"

Through being inspired and motivated, Madison has decided to continue her post-secondary education on the pathway of law. “I plan to major in English, minor in Spanish, and Environmental Studies. Then go to law school. Hopefully, I can work in Big Law to make enough money to pay off student loans, and then become a civil rights or environmental attorney until I retire,” declared Kraynick. 

As a student with a growth mindset, Kraynick believes that change is sometimes necessary, especially within the field of law. “I would love it if reproductive rights were a matter of federal legislation rather than supreme court precedent or state legislation,” expressed Kraynick. Madison believes that all people deserve equal access to family planning and reproductive healthcare. She explains that it shouldn’t be a decision made by self-interested politicians.

With the brains of Einstein and the heart of Susan B. Anthony, anything is possible for Madison Kraynick. “My dream career in law, the unachievable kind, would be to somehow, someday, become a justice of the US Supreme Court, as that is a very influential position,” avowed Kraynick. 

Madison set goals, and then she achieves them. It is without a doubt that she will be successful with anything she encounters in life. Who knows, Madison Kraynick may be the next Ruth Bader Ginsburg. For a dream does not become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination, and hard work.