elizabeth laduke

Elizabeth LaDuke, who is known by her friends as "Lizzie," started her fourth and final year on the Century Star this August. She began as Editor-in-Chief her junior year and plans to continue that role in a different way. "I want to finish off my time on the Star strong with articles from all sections of the paper," said LaDuke. Finally, she notes her goal to "grow the staff as a whole and build issues they can be proud of." 

LaDuke enjoys a myriad of different activities, including ice hockey, where she is captain of the girls team. She works as a fitness associate at the Family Wellness Center in Mandan and as a camp counselor at Triangle Y Camp; both jobs are through the YMCA organization. Along with newspaper, she is actively involved in the school, including her role as Secretary of the student council. She also participates in the Spanish club and National Honors Society.

Outside of school, LaDuke thoroughly enjoys being outdoors. She lives on the Missouri River and enjoys using it to kayak and jet ski. "My favorite summer activity is swimming in the river at night," said LaDuke. She is also passionate about journaling, running, painting, reading, lifting, photography, and hanging out with friends and family. LaDuke is experienced in volunteering and spends most of this time at the Dakota Humane Society during the winter. "I have cats of my own, so I care deeply about the animals in need," said LaDuke. If she is not already busy with her other hobbies, she can be found with her two cats: Ernie and Mary Pat. 

LaDuke values travel and has been to five different countries in the past two years. These include Ecuador, France, Switzerland, Monaco, and Italy. This past summer, LaDuke spent time in San Diego visiting her aunt, traveled around Northern Italy, and went to New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts on an East Coast road trip. She spent the remainder of the summer in Garrison, North Dakota, where she works. "Being away from home makes me appreciate it so much more," said LaDuke. Her education is very important to her, and she is looking forward to her graduation next year.  While she is currently undecided about which institution she wants to spend the next few years at, she currently aspires to study journalism and political science at a university.