NEWARK ― To say Camryn Mauter enjoys challenges would be a huge understatement.
From being a Kairos retreat leader and a Rotary representative to traveling to Hawaii to bolster the environment, the Newark Catholic graduate has spread her wings and experienced a spice for life to help fulfill her destiny.
Next up is Capital University, where she earned a full academic scholarship and intends to play golf in accomplishing her goal: to become a teacher and possibly a coach.
“Newark Catholic was a good place for me to grow,” Mauter said. “It’s a small-knit community, where you develop friendships, relationships and connections. My dad and his three sisters and a brother went there, and the alumni community is amazing. And it’s growing too, with upgrades to STEM and the athletic complex.”
Principal Tom Pickering had an opportunity to teach Mauter in government and economics as a sophomore.
“I could tell then she was a great student, with a wonderful and caring heart for all,” he said. “She had the opportunity to represent Newark Catholic at Newark Rotary this past year and was very thankful to experience it. Camryn is all about giving back to the community. She intends to go into education, and she will make an excellent teacher.”
Guidance counselor Keely Calvert said it was no surprise Mauter won the Scholarship of Distinction.
“She is an excellent student, and it was a privilege to be her teacher and counselor,” Calvert said.
Perhaps no one has seen Mauter’s growth as much as NC algebra and trigonometry teacher Devani Adam.
“She stepped out of her comfort zone and began to take on different leadership roles throughout the school and was a positive impact for her peers,” Adam said of the National Honor Society student, who was also a peer tutor. “Camryn was a student who gave 110%, in and out of the classroom and was never afraid to ask for help or help her peers.”
Mauter especially got out of her zone by going on a Growth International Volunteer Excursion for two weeks to Hawaii.
“She saved over $3,000 of her own money to go on a conservation mission between her junior and senior year,” said her mother, Sonya. “I don’t know many kids that could save that kind of money in high school and then use it to learn about the environment.”
Mauter’s cousin, who goes to Northridge, told her she should apply to become a volunteer on the Hawaii trip, and she’s glad she did.
“It was 12 days on the Big Island, and we worked with schools and local organizations to clean up invasive species of plants,” Camryn said. “I learned Hawaiian culture and how to be less touristy. They import 80% to 90% of their seeds, and we created more room to grow things. I love taking the opportunity to learn new things. I now see how everything that I do can affect the environment.”
She has tried her hand at different sports before settling on golf.
“I played basketball and ran track as a freshman; then it was golf, basketball and track as a sophomore,” Mauter said. “And it was golf and track as a junior and senior. I’ve decided to focus on golf because it’s a rest-of-your-life sport. I was not stellar at it in high school, but the coach at Capital sees my potential, and I’ve put in work on it the past two winters.”
She also found time to work at Louie’s Pizza in Newark, owned by her grandparents, and Rosie’s Self-Serve Yogurt in Heath.
“It really taught me good time management skills,” Mauter said.
Her major at Capital will be integrated mathematics, with education licensure. That would also qualify her to work for the government. But teaching math in grades 7-12 is her real goal.
“I was inspired by my teachers,” Camryn said. “I’m good at math, but it also is challenging for me.”
When Adam heard of Mauter’s plans to become a math teacher, like her, she was overjoyed.
“I know she will make a great teacher one day,” Adam said. “I couldn’t be more proud of the young woman she continues to grow into, and she has such a bright future ahead of her. Camryn will never back down from a challenge, and she will work hard to excel in the classroom as well as out on the golf course.
“She will do great things at Capital, and they are lucky to have her. I can’t wait to see the teacher and role model she will be for the future youth. Her future school and students will be lucky to have her.”
dweidig@gannett.com
740-704-7973
Instagram: @dfweidig