This previously ran in our 2022 June Senior Issue.

Throughout his four years in high school, Benji Peterson has made quite the name for himself. From being an active participant in several EHS orchestras, the boy’s captain of the boy’s fitness team, singing the Swedish national anthem, National Honor Society, and the president of the Red Cross Club, Peterson has kept himself constantly busy and disciplined. 

Peterson plans on continuing his academic career at the University of Iowa as a biology major on the pre-med track, with the ultimate plan of becoming an orthopedic surgeon. 

Stinger: How has the fitness team affected you? 

Peterson: I think it’s really just inspired me just to realize that pretty much all tasks are achievable. With enough work you can accomplish basically anything. 

Stinger: What specifically drove you to major in biology and then pre-med? 

Peterson: I knew I wanted a career where I was going to be helping people, just in general, because I tend to prioritize the well being of others over myself sometimes.. But either way, I think that I just get better gratification out of knowing that other people are better off because of me helping them. 

Stinger: What’s your proudest accomplishment in high school? 

Peterson: I’ve done really well on AP tests. Like, as far as the actual classes, I could have done way better. I’m a really terrible studier, I could probably count on my hands the amount of tests that I’ve legitimately studied for. But yeah, I’m really bad when it comes to studying for tests but for AP tests, I’m good at those. 

Stinger: Do you have a favorite workout? 

Peterson: I really love pull ups. At nationals I only got to 21. I was disappointed in myself, personally, but I still got there. 

Stinger: What do you want to accomplish after high school? 

Peterson: I definitely want to get to 30 pull-ups, but maybe one that it’s the dream. Other than that, I just want to keep my academic standards high. I know I just went on a rant about how low my standards are for studying but at the same time, I do really hold myself to high standards academically. 

Stinger: Have any regrets from these past four years? 

Peterson: I like to say that I live without regrets. One thing I wish I would have done differently is not overworked myself so heavily during junior year because we obviously didn’t have normal school that year… 

Stinger: How do you want to be remembered at Emmaus? 

Peterson: I haven’t thought too much about my legacy, but I hope that I am just remembered as a kid that helps people out, giving people advice. So I hope that I gave people advice that they acted upon.