Ambition is only as powerful as the work behind it. The biggest goals are achieved by people who not only dream big but also work hard and embrace challenges along the way. Staying focused on a long-term goal while managing the everyday stress of tough schoolwork and activities takes a special kind of dedication, a quality that recently led Sigrid Schwartz ’26 to be accepted into top schools, including Columbia University, Johns Hopkins University, the University of Michigan and more.
Throughout high school, Schwartz’s determination and curiosity have driven her to seek out new challenges, pursue her interests and make the most of every opportunity. With Columbia University’s acceptance rate dropping below 4 percent in recent years, according to U.S. News & World Report, her achievement is even more impressive. While she is currently weighing her options before making a final commitment, her drive was sparked years ago.
“I have wanted to go to Columbia since the fifth grade,” Schwartz said. “We biked around, and it was so cool because it ended up being the first day of school for the Columbia students…from there, I knew I wanted to go there.”
Schwartz’s childhood dream motivated her, and she spent her summers looking for ways to test her limits. By joining programs at major universities, she found the push she needed to commit to a difficult path.
“I decided on doing aerospace and nuclear propulsion, and going to these summer programs at Michigan and other schools helps you reach out to people in your field,” Schwartz said. “It’s very motivating because you can see if you’re ahead of or behind these people, which is very important.”
Outside of the classroom, Schwartz spent a lot of her time with the Detroit Boat Club Crew, finding an environment that demanded constant growth. Even though she is not rowing at Columbia, she credits her strong mindset to the people and experiences that encouraged her to always aim higher.
“My mom is a huge inspiration. She really values work ethic, and is very supportive,” Schwartz said. “Another really big inspiration was rowing…you build discipline, and you learn to push yourself.”
Even with her own personal drive, Schwartz believes that the environment at South played a big role in her reaching her goals.
“I am so grateful for all of my teachers,” Schwartz says. “I’ve learned so much from each of them; I appreciate the genuine care they put into their classes and the subjects they teach.”
Schwartz’s journey serves as a reminder that the path to achieving a dream is rarely easy, but the persistence needed to reach it is what makes a person truly stand out.
“Do something that makes yourself feel proud,” Schwartz said. “Even if you just need a day of rest, you need to do one productive thing — at least hit a nail in a day and get something done.”
