Fiercely driven, Riley Burgess ’26 is set on her goals and prioritizes her academics to follow her dreams of getting into her favorite college. University of Michigan has not always been on her radar, but after attending an academic camp there, she began to bleed blue.

“It was really nerdy but it was fun,” Burgess said. “I got to be on campus, stay in the dorms and meet the professors.”

South’s competitive environment and rigorous course options push her to excellence and make her goals attainable. When she chose her courses for freshman and sophomore year, Burgess felt grateful for the opportunity to challenge herself.

“[At South] they take academics so seriously,” Burgess said. “There’s so many other schools that don’t care. Here you’re really set up for success if you try.”