Aleah Minks is the daughter of David and Rebecca Minks. Throughout high school, she was involved in art, theatre, choir, ceramics and creative writing. What Aleah wants for her future is to “bring joy to people in my community. I want to advocate for human rights and be part of Queer art and spaces. Someday, I wish to be part in creating stories that touch hundreds if not thousands of people.” She plans to attend the Ringling College of Art And Design in Florida. 

   She says her biggest achievement in high school was playing the role of the Wicked Witch in last year’s production of “Wizard of Oz.” Her best high school memories include “skipping to class every morning, breaking into a cackle as the Wicked Witch of the West, creating masterpieces in art, and all the work we did for Warsaw Drama Club’s very first production, “Dirty Work at the Crossroads.” 

   Minks said she has many people to thank. “I want to thank Carl and Amer Hutcherson, Lucy Lemke Clark and her husband, as well as Chelsea Turner for their involvement in my life, for teaching me how to find magic in this world, and for shaping me into the person I am. I want to thank Mrs. Gemes and Mr. Norton for supporting me in my creative endeavors and for helping me get to where I am today. Thank you to Mrs. Seigel, Mrs. Pate, Mrs. Adler, Mrs. Austin, Mrs. Swisher, Steve, and all the lunch ladies for being so kind to me and making me smile on hard days. And thank you to Mrs. Deanna Shockmann and Mrs. Anita Campbell for always pushing me in new directions to become a better performer and for encouraging me to start new adventures. I could go on and on… but thank you all, each and every one of you, for the impact you have had on my life.”

   Her advice to younger students is to “stay focused on your work, but form genuine connections with everyone you can: janitors, teachers, parents, friends… hold them all dear, because those people will have your back when you need it most.”