Onekama Student Becomes First From School to be Accepted at Harvard

It was an incredible story that eventually led her down the path to being accepted to the prestigious Harvard University where she will attend classes next year. However, what stunned Veverica was what transpired between the PSAT test and receiving the acceptance letter from Harvard.

“After I took my PSAT, I started getting letters from all these different colleges all across the country,” said Veverica. “The college board gives out the scores to the colleges, so if you are above a certain score, it attracts the attention of colleges. \Colleges have that information, and they send out letters to get you to apply to their school.”

Veverica said her first shock was when she came home from school one day and saw a letter addressed to her from Yale University. It was something that she never expected would happen, even though she was an exceptional student and the class valedictorian this year.

“I was very surprised when the first letter I got was from Yale,” said Veverica. “I just kind of stood there for a while staring at the envelope, because I couldn’t believe it.”

If seeing was believing, than the point became very clear over the next few weeks, as that letter was followed up by others from the best schools in the country. It was something that Veverica never dreamed about months ago when pondering her future prior the start of her senior year.

“After the PSAT scores were released, I got a letter from all the Ivy League Schools, except for Dartmouth and Brown,” said Veverica.

When the one from Harvard arrived, it hit a nerve with Veverica, because she knew at that point that the best of the best were recruiting her.

“It ranks as one of the best schools in the country, and growing up you always hear about Harvard being the biggest, and the best school,” said Veverica. “It was something I had in the back of my mind where I would like to go to school.”

Veverica said her parents have been very supportive and extremely proud of her throughout the process. She then added with a laugh, that her mother didn’t think at first it would be possible for a small town girl to get accepted into Harvard. However, the day the acceptance letter arrived they were all celebrating the occasion.

“It was definitely nice, and they say the acceptance letters don’t mean much, but it was definitely a confidence booster for me,” said Veverica.

What she also didn’t expect was Harvard sent her a plane ticket prior to applying to come and visit their campus. The whole experience was an eye-opening one for the Onekama senior.

“It was amazing as the campus was gorgeous, and the people were friendly and helpful,” said Veverica. “I had a room host who took me around the campus, and brought me into Boston to show me the city, so it was really nice.

“I was there on a weekend, but got to see what a student’s life was like. I was kind of nervous at first at what I would find, because it was such a huge school, but they made me feel very comfortable.”

Friends, teachers, and others in Onekama were not surprised at the news that she was accepted at Harvard. It is something that her former science teacher and track coach, Mickey Story knew she was capable of achieving when he wrote a letter in support of Anna for Elks Teen of the Month.

“I have taught science to Onekama High School students for 31 years,” wrote Story. “In my 31 years of teaching Anna Veverica is one of those ‘once in a lifetime’ students. She ranks among the top five students I’ve ever had in all my science classes.

“Behind those letter grades and impressive test scores lies a natural learner with outstanding character traits.”

He said she not only excelled in the classroom, but on the athletic field as well.  It is all a part of an outstanding work ethic. “As an athlete, Anna is a talented runner who has worked very hard in both cross county and track to achieve her personal best,” wrote Story. “As a track coach for over 25 years, I believe it’s rare to find a student so well-rounded, pursuing excellence in every endeavor both in and out of the classroom.”

Onekama principal Gina Hagen echoed those sentiments about the first Onekama student ever to attend an Ivy League School.

“I could not be more proud of Anna,” said Hagen. “She is one of the hardest working, most dedicated students I have ever met, and she is truly worthy of this honor.”

Veverica also has been very active in many other activities during her high school years. She has served on the yearbook, Quiz Bowl, cheerleading, Celtic dance, student council, wellness committee, youth leadership conference, Students Against Drunk Driving, Portage Lake Watershed Forever, Toys for Tots, Pennies for Patients, blood drives, food pantry and much more.

However, Veverica said the thing that helped her more than anything  was the time she spent on the Youth Advisory Council for the Manistee County Community Foundation. It was an experience that helped her mature as a person.

“I am the board representative and go to all their foundation board meetings and that helped a lot,” said Veverica.

Veverica has been very humbled by the honor and is looking forward to the challenge. She was also accepted by and visited Stanford University and hopes some day to possibly attend medical school on the West Coast.

However, for now her focus is on Harvard and enjoying the total experience. She said some of her friends have already inquired about visiting her at school.

“Two of my friends bought me a Harvard T-shirt when I was accepted and they want to come visit me,” said Veverica. “I am very excited about going there, and it is going to be very different from what I grew up with in Onekama where you know everyone and everything.”

Those who know Veverica are unanimous in one thing and that is they feel confident she will succeed in whatever she puts her mind to doing. But more importantly, she has become a role model to a host of younger students at Onekama Schools proving that “if you can dream -- then you can achieve it.”

by Ken Grabowski, Manistee News Advocate