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Abby Heyroth is Triton of the Week
Abby Heyroth is Triton of the Week

Abby Heyroth knows what a strong musical performance sounds like.

More importantly, the Notre Dame Academy senior knows what one feels like.

“It’s a way of expressing myself and my emotions,” Heyroth said. “I feel like I can portray what I’m feeling inside through my music. I feel it tells a story and there is that climax in the piece where it’s the point you get the chills on your arms. That’s what excites me. That’s why I want to play music. It intrigues me. It’s like an open invitation. You take it and try your best because you can interpret it your own way.”

The way Heyroth performs doesn’t go unnoticed.

Her flute solo last Saturday earned her a spot at the WSMA State Solo & Ensemble Festival for a second straight year.

It’s the latest recognition for the gifted musician, who can play a handful of different instruments and is a fixture to NDA’s various music programs.

“Abby continually goes above and beyond in whatever she does,” Band Director Steve Johnson said of Heyroth, the Triton of the Week for the week of Feb. 24, 2020.

“Playing first chair flute and piccolo in NDA's Wind Ensemble as well as playing tenor sax in our top jazz band, Abby is an excellent musician and leader. Her talents playing the extremely challenging Poulenc Flute Sonata earned her a 1st rating at the WSMA State Solo & Ensemble Festival last year. In addition to all this, she has played in the pep band, marching band, pit orchestra and woodwind ensemble. Abby's enthusiasm, musicianship and dedication are an inspiration to all those around her.”

While Heyroth hopes to go out on a high note when she performs at state on May 2, her talents go beyond being a gifted musician.

The National Honor Society student is a member of Art Club, Book Club, the cross country team and serves as a tutor at school.

“Abby has a wisdom and maturity beyond her years,” College Counselor Becky Bain said. “She is intelligent, driven and focused. Her work ethic is positively enviable. Abby's artistic creativity is a joy to behold – the Christmas cards she drew should be sold in stores. With all this and more to brag about, Abby is astonishingly humble. She has the biggest heart in the world, yet she is smart enough to guard it. This girl is going to go places!”

Heyroth plans to study architecture at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Living in a bigger city was something Heyroth couldn’t fathom a few years ago. After having only seven classmates in her grade at St. Thomas More, attending NDA was a big adjustment for her at first.

“It has been really eye-opening for me because I’m not the most outgoing person,” Heyroth said. “Meeting new people, having to put myself out there, really made this whole high school experience a start to what I’ll have to do in the real world.”

In addition to participating in several extra-curricular activities, Heyroth works a part-time job in the deli of a grocery store.

She said the experience has helped her become more confident in talking to new people while she saves money for college.

Heyroth credits her work ethic to her parents, who taught her to always try her best in everything she does.

“I’m a perfectionist,” she said. “Like this previous weekend when I played, I listened to it and I found everything that I thought was wrong or could be better. I’m just aiming to better myself and make it as close to perfect as I can.”

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About Notre Dame Academy: Notre Dame Academy is located in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and is a co-ed Catholic high school founded by the Norbertine Order, Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet and the Diocese of Green Bay. NDA’s distinctive history embraces the more than 120-year foundation of St. Joseph Academy, Abbot Pennings High School and Our Lady of Premontre High School. NDA offers a globally focused education with a leading IB Diploma Program. Its high-caliber educational community is focused on outstanding learning and creating a lifetime of opportunity for all students.