Photo: Chris Emeott
The Class of 2025 is full of dedication, leadership and creativity.
This article originally appeared as part of the story Senior Spotlight in the August 2024 issue. Read the profiles of other inspiring Edina seniors here: Anoushka Jha, Natalie Mosakowski, Vihaan Shah, Drew Dillon, Katherine “Kat” Mulgrew, George Rerat
Audrey Castro, 17
Academy of Holy Angels (AHA)
“Audrey has so many gifts it can be hard to identify her greatest strength, but I think it would be her compassion and care for her family, friends and community,” says Ann Kjorstad, college counselor at Academy of Holy Angels (AHA). “She is curious about the world around her, she is deeply empathic, reliable, understanding and she is open to trying new things. Her unofficial motto, attributed to her AP history teacher is: ‘When you are uncomfortable, it usually means you are learning something new.’”
Audrey is most proud of her time spent in theater. She caught the acting bug when she was part of the ensemble in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown during her sophomore year.
“Auditioning and performing in a musical was a big step toward building a passion for the performing arts,” Audrey says. “I remember this show as building the foundation of who I am, for example, what I want to do more in the future, who I want to surround myself with, what performing means to me and how am I going to handle the next opportunity that crosses my path.”
Choir is also a major part of her life. She is in AHA’s Praise Group, Academy Singers and Concert Choir. She is also a member of her school’s diversity and Hispanic clubs. “Both serve the purposes in that students of color have a safe space and organize presentations to further educate and celebrate with the school over several topics,” she says.
She says her biggest inspiration is her mother, Rosalba Martinez. “She came to the United States from Mexico many years ago. She raised three kids as a single mom while working and attending school. My mom has sacrificed so much for me that I probably haven’t even realized,” Audrey says. “To this day, she works hard and finds ways to support me and my brothers. She came out to support me at my performances and showed up in support of my two older brothers at their games or meets. She is very proud and continues to find ways to show that with every little sacrifice she makes for me and my brothers. We are each others’ shoulders to cry on during hard days and the first person I tell the biggest news to. She is my best friend and has been through thick and thin.”
Audrey hopes to attend a four-year college to study elementary education, social studies and history education. “What I really want to do is pursue my passions, mainly as a hobby, of singing, dancing, drawing and painting.”
Activities
- Academy Singers
- Praise Group
- Concert Choir
- Theater
- Diversity, Hispanic and Social Justice clubs
- Ballroom dancing
Edina Magazine extends its appreciate to the team at Mr. Paul’s Supper Club for its use of the restaurant as a backdrop for our Senior Spotlight feature photo shoot.
Mr. Paul’s Supper Club, 3917 Market St.; 612.259.8614; Instagram: @mrpaulssupperclub
