Edina’s Class of 2027 Is Full of Care, Courage and Leadership

Ben Aviles’ dream job: Journalist. Photos: Chris Emeott

Every August, our Senior Spotlight shines a light on the remarkable students preparing to enter their final year of high school. Nominated by schools in our area, these seniors have distinguished themselves through creativity, leadership, service and a genuine commitment to making their schools and communities a better place to live.

We shine this spotlight on three students: Benjamin Aviles, Esther Lee and Aayaan Roy. What follows is their story in their own words. This allows us to get a glimpse into their passions, accomplishments and aspirations. In classrooms, newsrooms, sports fields and arenas, they are already leaving a lasting impact. And they’re just getting started.

Benjamin “Ben” Aviles

Blake School

“As a two-year editor-in-chief of the newspaper, Ben leads his peer journalists to investigate and seek truth. He takes his editorial role maturely and ethically … Ben is passionate about caring for his community and raising public awareness.” —Anna Reid, Upper School English teacher and journalism advisor

How do you balance academic demands, extracurricular activities and personal responsibilities outside of high school?

I think the secret to it is doing what I love … When a person enjoys the work, it ceases to be work. Additionally, I keep some non-negotiables. I get seven to eight hours of sleep and three meals a day. If that means I can’t complete other things, then so be it.

What is something that your peers might not know about you?

I absolutely adore music. I am constantly listening to music from the ’80s up to the current music. My love for music exploded when my dad started playing a song from his childhood for me before I went to sleep during [COVID-19]. I am incredibly knowledgeable about local music and spend a large portion of my free time listening to concerts around the city. Some of my fondest memories are at summer music festivals. Frequently, I can be found listening to my vinyl collection or looking for more at local record shops.

What is your favorite day of the year?

Somewhere around August 20 is always amazing. It is the perfect balance of the school year and summer. Cross country is just starting up again, but there’s still enough free time for me to do all the things I said I wanted to do during the summer but never got to. There’s also this giddy and nervous feeling about the year that is about to start. I’m one of those kids who cannot wait to get back to school.

What is your favorite motto or quote?

“Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light.” —Dylan Thomas

More about Ben:

• Community Advocacy Emergency Services staffing (assisted with petition and community commentary at Edina City Council meeting)
• Cross Country (2024–Present); Lettered in Cross Country (2025), Most Improved Player (2025) and Rookie of the Year (2024)
• Dean’s Recognition (2024)
• Nordic Skiing (2023–Present); Lettered in Nordic Skiing (2026), Most Improved Player (2026) and Rookie of the Year (2024)
• Plays soccer with Blake School, Edina Soccer Association and Morningside Athletic Club
• Published an article with a national newspaper, SUNN Post (national student media organization newspaper), about teaching under ICE presence in the Twin Cities (2026)
• The Spectrum, Editor-in-Chief (2025–Present)
• Published in Best of SNO (Student Newspaper Online) for Annunciation coverage (2025): Won best Newspaper Editorial Cartoon at Minnesota State Journalism Convention (2025)
• As editor of Blake’s The Spectrum, it won third best newspaper in Minnesota (2025), and Best Newspaper Social Media Presence (2025) given by the Minnesota High School Press Association/Journalism Education Association Scholastic Awards Honorable Mention for Chastity Brown feature piece (2025)
• Track (Current)
• Ultimate (2024)
• Volunteer coach with Edina Soccer Association (2022-Present)

Aayaan Roy

Edina High School

Aayaan Roy’s dream job: “I’m not sure what my dream job is, but I am definitely looking to follow my sister’s [foot]steps with something in the economics/business industry.”

“Aayaan is an impressive human who doesn’t just seek the spotlight—he uses his own light to guide others. He embodies the best of the Edina spirit through his humility, respect and unwavering commitment to the greater good.” —Julie Block, school counselor

How do you balance academic demands, extracurricular activities and personal responsibilities outside of high school?

I wouldn’t say that there’s an exact thing I do to “balance” the different parts of my life because life really has no balance. School, athletics and extracurriculars are all a part of someone’s life on any given day, and they work off of each other … Every day looks different. One day may be more soccer focused, and another more work focused. It just depends on what is most pressing at the current moment.

Which teacher or staff member had the biggest impact on you and why?

Without a doubt, Ms. Block, my counselor. With my goal of attending one of the U.S Military Academies after high school, [there have been] last minute things that have come up that I didn’t know how to deal with or work around. In every one of those instances, she took time out of her busy schedule to help me through those issues. She genuinely cares about the well-being of students and where they end up. Without her, I would be very lost. Both of my older sisters also had Ms. Block as their counselor, and they both ended up at incredible places.

What is something that your peers might not know about you?

I love to cook.

What is your favorite day of the year?

The first day of Thanksgiving break, which is when the whole family is home for the first time in a while, and we usually take a trip somewhere.

What is your favorite motto or quote?

“He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted.” —Job 5:9

More About Aayaan:

• Club Soccer
• Edina Soccer Association coach
• Garden in Manhattan Bible Study Club, leader
• Investment internship at a wealth management firm in Wayzata
• Naval Academy Seminar volunteer
• Naval Academy Summer Seminar
• Superintendent’s Student Leadership Body
• Varsity Soccer

Esther Lee

Blake School

Esther Lee’s dream job: “Opening a restaurant in a coastal city where I can create food and bring people together.”

“[Esther] was part of the school’s undefeated Blake Soccer Team that finished second in the state. Esther raised the level of training sessions and was more competitive as the season went on. When others were tired and at times feeling defeated in their roles, Esther helped the undefeated team stay sharp, humble and maintain a level of competitiveness.” —Jocelyn Keller, Blake girls’ varsity soccer coach

How do you balance academic demands, extracurricular activities and personal responsibilities outside of high school?

I balance everything by being intentional with both my time and energy … I’ve learned that balance comes from prioritizing what matters most in the moment and working through tasks one at a time, so I don’t get overwhelmed.

Which teacher or staff member had the biggest impact on you and why?

CJ, my grade dean, has been one of my biggest supporters throughout high school and continues to be. Not only does she support our grade whenever we need her, but she also makes time to check in with students individually to see how they are doing. During my freshman year, I was introduced to her room. Ever since then, it has been my safe space and a place where I’ve had some of the most meaningful conversations with both my friends and CJ. CJ truly prioritizes her students, and it’s clear how much everyone at school appreciates her.

What is your favorite motto or quote?

“Slow down, you’re doing fine. You can’t be everything you want to be before your time.” —Billy Joel

Where is your happy place in Edina?

50th & France

More about Esther:

• Blake School Girls‘ Varsity Soccer (August 2025–Present)
• Breakthrough Minneapolis, volunteer (2025–Present)
• Edina Soccer Club, National Premier Leagues (NPL) (2022–Present)
• Minnesota DECA state qualifier (2026)
• Model United Nations honorable mention, Best Position Paper (2026) and student leader (2024–Present)
• Rotary scholarship recipient, Rotary Club of Seoul (2026)
• Student Diversity Leadership Council (SDLC), student leader (2023–Present)
• Twin Cities Investment Conference, co-chair (2025–26)
• University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education, lead student researcher (2025–Present)
• Varsity Girls Soccer, state runner-up team (2025)
• Women in Business (WIB), founder and president (2023–Present)
• Young Women’s Cabinet, Women’s Foundation of Minnesota (selected by Governor Tim Waltz and Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan) (2025–Present)

A heartfelt thank you to the Nolan Mains Residences at 50th & France for graciously hosting our Senior Spotlight photoshoot. We are grateful for the partnership in helping us celebrate the Class of 2027.