For Madison “Maddi” Lane, creativity and logic don’t exist on opposite ends of the spectrum—they work together, shaping how she sees the world and the future she hopes to build. Whether she’s painting, tutoring chemistry students, or developing a startup idea with her business classmates, Maddi is always engaged in something new, something challenging, something that pushes her to think differently.

A junior at Byron High School, Maddi has packed her schedule with advanced coursework, artistic projects, and leadership roles. She thrives in environments where she can analyze, create, and innovate—which explains why choosing classes each year is a constant balancing act.

“I like math and science, but I also love art,” she said. “It makes it hard to fit everything in, especially when my teachers want me to take their AP classes.”

Her schedule is a mix of AP and business courses, with an eye toward a future where creative problem-solving meets entrepreneurial thinking.

Maddi has always been a technical-minded artist. While some focus on abstract expression, she enjoys the precision of capturing details, getting perspectives right, and making sure her work feels balanced and intentional.

“I love impressionism, but I also like technical accuracy in my art,” she explained. “Even when we have open-ended projects, I tend to do portraits or structured compositions. I love figuring out how to make everything fit together.”

She attended an NIU summer art camp, an experience that helped her grow as an artist and expand her approach to different mediums. While acrylic paint is her preferred medium, she has also experimented with digital art and visual branding, applying her artistic eye to business-oriented projects.

That interest in design and communication has naturally led her into Byron’s entrepreneurship program, where she and her classmates are developing a product aimed at improving shower safety and convenience.

“We’re designing something that helps prevent accidental scalding from hot water,” she said. “Each of us has a slightly different vision for it, but that’s what makes it interesting—we’re bringing different perspectives together.”

Working on a team-based startup has been a new challenge for Maddi, who often prefers independent projects. But she has embraced the collaborative nature of entrepreneurship, learning how to pitch ideas, problem-solve, and navigate differences in vision.

“I usually like to work on my own, so this has been a different experience,” she admitted. “But I’ve learned a lot about how to present ideas and convince people to see things from your perspective.”

Beyond her academic and business interests, Maddi has also found a passion for helping others through tutoring.

“I’ve been tutoring chemistry students since last year,” she said. “Even before I was in NHS, I had teachers asking me to help other students.”

She often works with students during her free periods, stepping in to explain complex concepts and help classmates stay on track.

She has also volunteered as a peer assistant in adaptive PE and works with United Sound, a program that helps special needs students learn to play musical instruments.

Having grown up with a younger brother who has autism, Maddi has always been familiar with working in inclusive environments. She brings patience, understanding, and a sense of fun to everything she does, whether it’s through helping special needs students with bocce ball in the Special Olympics or coaching a chemistry student through a tough concept.

As she looks ahead to her senior year, Maddi is still exploring what path she wants to take. She is considering business, management information systems, and possibly a creative industry like marketing or design.

She has looked into top business programs at the University of Illinois and Purdue, but she’s also intrigued by the idea of applying to Ivy League schools like the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School.

“I’d love to go to Wharton, but the tuition is crazy,” she admitted.

However, after learning about needs-based financial aid opportunities, she’s starting to think bigger about where she might apply.

“I didn’t realize how many schools actually help students afford tuition,” she said. “It makes me think maybe I should aim higher than I originally planned.”

No matter where Maddi ends up, one thing is certain—she will continue blending logic and creativity, problem-solving and expression. Whether it’s in business, art, or education, she will bring the same thoughtfulness, drive, and passion for learning that have defined her time at Byron.

She isn’t in a rush to decide everything right now. Instead, she’s taking the same approach she does with her paintings—layering ideas, refining her perspective, and making sure every detail comes together just right.