- Wood River High School
- Homepage
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Jorgen Lawrence
By JoEllen Collins for The Weekly Sun
Jorgen Lawrence, a senior at Wood River High School, is absorbed in filling his life with music, school, and involvement with friends and the community.
Currently, Lawrence has a GPA of 4.15 and is a member of National Honor Society, an organization that encourages volunteer work and community activism.
“I have found that working with other people in and outside of school is very fulfilling to me,” Lawrence said. “One of the best things about the Wood River Valley is that the people here are so caring and supportive and have provided me with a secure background for my future. It’s fun to give back.”
Lawrence’s interests have been stimulated by the curriculum offerings at WRHS. He especially enjoys his math and science classes, such as AP Psychology, and hopes to continue studying neuroscience after graduation.
“I can envision my self contributing to the development of improved prosthetic devices or the conditions that require them,” he said. “Maybe becoming a physical therapist would be a good way to carry on my love of science that contributes to healing.”
As well, Lawrence has played the violin since he was 7 years old.
“I studied with the same violin teacher all these years so was lucky to have such consistent training,” he said. “I was also able to participate in the Sun Valley Summer Symphony workshop for the last 10 years.”
When he was a sophomore, the SVSS’s School of Music awarded Lawrence the Carol Nie Outstanding Music Student award.
He is in the school orchestra, and “feels a part of a growth in interest in learning string instruments,” he said. “This community has so many outlets now for people like me to have an opportunity to study an instrument like the violin.”
Lawrence also is a baritone with the high school’s B-Tones, an all-male-student a cappella group under the direction of R.L. Rowsey.
“I credit R.L. as having a great impact on my life,” he said. “He has encouraged so many of us to love music.”
Lawrence carries over his passion for music with volunteering to work with fourth- and fifth-grade students learning string instruments.
A Hailey native, Lawrence underwent a life-saving surgery at birth and then endured a long period of quarantine and recovery at home.
“I feel so grateful for surviving this early trauma and for my caring family,” he said. “My gratitude extends to other aspects of my solid youth. My older sister graduated from Wellesley last May, and I know she probably appreciated, as I do, the years she spent getting a good academic and life preparation in the Wood River Valley.”
Currently, Lawrence is preparing for auditions for college music programs, including possible study at Oberlin College, the University of Southern California or Vanderbilt University, all of which have excellent music programs. Wherever he is accepted, Lawrence plans to continue his interest in music and science.
Each week, JoEllen Collins will be profiling a local high-school student. If you know someone you'd like to see featured, e-mail joellencollins1@gmail.com.