NSO News Story

This August, Northern Star Online student Ava Valerius showcased her talent and ambition by combining her academic journey with her passion for art. Ava, a senior with Centennial High School, also takes Japanese language classes with Northern Star Online. This summer she entered the Minnesota State Fair K-12 Art Contest and came away with numerous prizes, showcasing her unique artistic abilities.

Ava's art is deeply inspired by her admiration for traditional Japanese culture. "With its vibrancy and historical ties, traditional Japanese art and culture has always spoken to me as an artist," she shared. "As I’ve developed my artistic skills, Japanese art and culture have consistently been a type of 'role model' that I look up to for inspiration."

Beyond art, Ava has her sights set on a future in engineering. For her, art and engineering are intricately connected. “To me, one of the foundations of engineering is art,” she explains. Ava plans to major in engineering and dreams of studying abroad in Japan, a place where “innovation meets rich traditional culture.” Her ambitions don't stop there; she hopes to explore other cultures and investigate how engineering can create positive changes across the globe.

Ava's achievements at the Minnesota State Fair are a testament to her curiosity, creativity, and drive. Congratulations to her on her great success! We are excited to see what the future holds for her as she continues to blend her passion for art, language, culture, and engineering.