Lakeland alumna, Brooklynn Olinger, shares her success; thanks to Lakeland!

Lakeland School Corporation (LSC) is proud to spotlight Brooklynn Olinger, a 2022 graduate of Lakeland High School and an upcoming 2025 graduate of Indiana Wesleyan University (in December). In a recent interview, Brooklynn shared how her experiences at Lakeland gave her a powerful head start in college.

Brooklynn described PLTW as one of the most impactful parts of her high school education. She said that group collaboration, public speaking, and slideshow design skills she developed through the program gave her confidence and clarity in the classroom from day one of college.

“I was complimented immediately by my professor on my confidence and the way I laid out my slides — it set me apart,” she recalled. “What we did in PLTW felt advanced in high school, but in college, it was second nature.”

She also highlighted her comfort with rubrics — a concept that many college students find intimidating. “Because we used rubrics so often at Lakeland, I knew how to read them, how to align my work with expectations, and how to aim for ‘highly successful’ from the start. That helped me secure strong grades consistently.”

While Brooklynn felt academically prepared, she did share one challenge: learning how to study effectively. Her top advice?

“Speak it out loud and write it down. The best thing I did was find out what type of learner I am — and let that guide how I study.”

She also encouraged current and future students to think strategically about their course choices.

“Take classes that will challenge you and position you for success. It might feel tough now, but it’ll help you grow, save money in the long run, while setting you up for early success.”

Brooklynn’s journey is a clear example of how Lakeland’s commitment to real-world preparation, through programs like PLTW, empowers students to thrive academically, professionally, and personally.

“We’re incredibly proud of Brooklynn and grateful she’s sharing her story,” said Katie Levitz, Public Relations and Marketing Specialist at LSC. “She exemplifies the confidence, work ethic, and self-awareness we hope to cultivate in every student.”