Hannah Sell isn’t one to shy away from a challenge. As an eighth-grader at Mercer County Junior High, she’s balancing a full slate of academic and extracurricular activities, all while preparing for the transition to high school. She’s a violinist, a student leader, and a young woman with a clear vision for her future—one that includes both music and medicine.

With eight years of violin practice behind her, Hannah has developed the kind of discipline and patience that come from years of trial, error, and persistence. "When you start, it’s screechy and squeaky," she says. "But I’ve gotten to the point now where I can look at almost anything and feel confident playing it." That confidence has taken time to build. She remembers hitting a turning point about a year ago when playing the violin stopped feeling like an uphill battle and started to feel natural.

Music is more than just a skill to Hannah—it’s a source of connection and personal growth. She plays at church every Sunday with a local musician, performs in recitals, and takes weekly 45-minute lessons to continue improving. Her violin teacher recently told her she may be ready to join the Muscatine Symphony Orchestra in high school, an opportunity she’s eager to pursue.

But while music is an important part of Hannah’s life, her aspirations extend far beyond the stage. Her true passion lies in the medical field, where she hopes to become a NICU nurse. "Ever since I was little, I knew I wanted to be somewhere in medicine," she says. The idea of working with newborns in critical care has stuck with her, and she’s already thinking about the path that will take her there. "If you want to do something, set your mind to it and keep going," she says. "It’s worth it."

Her natural drive is evident in her academics as well. She’s enrolled in Advanced Math, positioning herself to take geometry as a freshman and potentially calculus by senior year. She also plays an active role in Student Senate, where she and her peers organize school events like dances and fundraisers. "Right now, we’re selling Valentine’s Day grams," she says. "The money we raise helps pay for school activities."

Though Hannah doesn’t participate in sports, she finds plenty of ways to stay engaged outside the classroom. She’s involved in 4-H and plans to join FFA in high school, where she’ll expand on her experience showing sheep. Her family doesn’t raise them, but she’s been involved in the process long enough to know she enjoys working with animals.

When she reflects on her time at Mercer County Junior High, what stands out most isn’t just the activities she’s been involved in, but the people she’s met along the way. "I’ve learned so much from getting to know different kinds of people," she says. "That’s been one of the best parts."

Looking ahead, she knows high school will bring new challenges and opportunities. She’s already considering colleges in Iowa and Illinois, though she hasn’t settled on a dream school just yet. For now, she’s focused on continuing to build her skills, grow her confidence, and embrace every opportunity that comes her way.

Whether it’s in a hospital, a concert hall, or a classroom, one thing is certain—Hannah Sell is ready for whatever comes next.