Small towns are not everyone's cup of tea, but for 17-year-old Amanda Bensen, a small town is a perfect fit. Before moving to Madison in 4th grade, Amanda previously lived in Watertown with her family. When asked who was all a part of her family, Amanda didn’t know where to begin, but that she lives with Paul, her step-father; Sarah, her mother; and Danica, her younger sister. It is obvious that Amanda's family is very important to her because when was asked what she would do with 5 million dollars, Amanda said that she would give all of it to her mother and grandparents.
Amanda has been involved in a variety of activities that display her many different talents. Amanda has been a part of the Madison High School marching band, playing clarinet, for four years. As a senior, she was awarded the position of section leader, a result of her leadership skills and character. Despite all the musical talent she already has, Amanda disclosed that she would like to learn to play the piano. She also participated in the one-act play last year, which went to state, and was an actress in the spring play too. Among other activities, Amanda has competed in track and field, Lake County Aces (qualifying for state shoot every year and nationals one year), ProStart Management Team, and softball. It is clear through Amanda’s lengthy list of activities that she is truly a jack of all trades. Amanda’s outstanding record in each of these activities shows she can achieve anything she sets her mind to.
Outside of the various activities Amanda participates in, she also has a job at Bethel Nursing Home in Madison where she works as a dietary aid. Through working at Bethal, Amanda found that she enjoys talking and getting to know the residents of the nursing home personally. “Their faces light up when they see you,” Amanda adds, further explaining her love for the residents. With her bubbly and happy personality, it’s no wonder the residents enjoy seeing her. In her free time outside of work and school activities, Amanda enjoys watching musicals - two of her all-time favorites being Grease and Hairspray.
As a resident of the Midwest her entire life, it comes as no surprise that Amanda’s favorite food is mashed potatoes and gravy. Amanda shows her passion about mashed potatoes, when during the interview she stated, “I want steak with mashed potatoes and gravy to be the last meal in my stomach.”
After graduation, Amanda intends to pursue her dream career of teaching elementary school by attending SDSU in Brookings to obtain her degree. In the following ten years, she hopes to be married with children and have a job teaching elementary education. Unaffected by the cold midwestern weather, Amanda wants to settle down somewhere close to home and near family in South Dakota.