Myla Rodenberg

Despite having family members who were RB alumni, our Class of 2025 salutatorian, Myla Rodenberg, didn't have Roger Bacon on her radar as an eighth grader at St. Ignatius. It wasn’t until some of her friends set up shadow days that she decided to take a look for herself. “Before eighth grade I had never even heard of Roger bacon, but when I heard some of my friends were shadowing, I decided to go just to have a backup option. After I shadowed, every other school fell short of Bacon. The friendly atmosphere presented at Roger Bacon is really superior to any other school. Even as a senior, I constantly see underclassmen, some of which I have never even talked to, smile at me in the hallways. This is what made Bacon stand out to me— the way each of the students has a deep respect and appreciation for one another, no matter our backgrounds, grade levels, or what we are involved in,” shares Myla. “Athletes are constantly supporting those involved in fine arts and vice versa. Those who are struggling in a class always have someone they can go to for help. This is a quality not many other schools can say they have.”

As her four years at Roger Bacon wind down, Myla has loved her time at Roger Bacon. She is a member of National Honor Society, Peer Tutoring, is a Senior Leader, and member of Spiritual Life. Myla is also a member of the girl’s lacrosse team, recently wining conference player of the week honors, and is an Assisi Scholar, who recently returned from a pilgrimage to Assisi and Rome, Italy. Myla credits the Assisi Scholar program with not only preparation for what lies ahead, but providing a once-in-a-lifetime travel experience with her friends.

“The Assisi Scholars program has both strengthened my work ethic and also prepared me for the next chapter of my life as I transition into college. After four years of hard work, finally experiencing this rewarding trip to Italy was truly a remarkable experience. The pilgrimage to Assisi allowed me to expand my horizons and deepen the Franciscan values that I’ve embraced throughout my time at Roger Bacon. From building meaningful connections with my classmates, to exploring parts of the world I may never have the chance to see again, this trip became the highlight of my four years at Roger Bacon. Whether it was admiring the beautiful architecture of Rome or enjoying free time to explore the streets of Assisi and walk in the footsteps of Saint Francis, this trip offered me an unforgettable Franciscan experience like no other. Not only was my time in Italy unforgettable, but I was able to take home both a deep appreciation for my faith’s background and memories that I am sure to reminisce on," shares Myla.

Myla’s favorite teacher during her four years at RB was Doc Wittekind, but her favorite class was AP Psychology with Mr. James.

Something interesting most people don’t know about Myla is that she is an aunt. “I have two nieces. They are both under 3 years old and have greatly inspired me to pursue pediatric nursing,” explains Myla. “Being around my nieces has really encouraged me to choose a career that involves young children, and since I always knew I wanted to go into the medical field, I knew pediatrics would be the right fit for me.”

Myla will study nursing next fall at the University of Kentucky. “I love that it’s a big school, with a great, well-respected nursing program. I also love the social aspect there. Its going to be a lot of fun the next four years,” states Myla.

When reflecting on the things that have stood out most during her four years at Roger Bacon, and what makes RB so special, a recent experience at the Homecoming dance stands out. “I noticed a freshman that was sitting alone at the dance. Instead of people just walking straight by her, I saw several students who were not even friends with her stop to talk to her and invite her to sit by them, “explains Myla. “Even better, the students who reached out were upperclassmen. Despite not knowing the girl or being 3 years older than her, they still took the time to make sure she felt appreciated and welcomed. I was so proud to know that those people who reached out to her were my classmates, and it is one of the many examples in which Bacon students exemplified what it truly means to be a Spartan. I am so proud to be a Roger Bacon graduate!”