Junior Julianne Rast’s earliest memory was buying a fish.
A betta fish, to be precise.
At three years old, she wanted it because her class was holding a show-and-tell the next day, and most of the other students were bringing photos of their pets. Although her parents had low expectations for the new fish’s lifespan, they drove to PetSmart, purchasing a betta — later named Finn — that would outlive their initial impressions, staying with the family for six years.
While the fish eventually sparked the acquisition of more pets, it also embodied what would grow into one of Rast’s most enduring interests: marine biology.
“I really like the ocean,” Rast said, explaining that both the sea and the creatures inside it have continually captured her interest from a young age. “I really like marine life. When I was a kid, I used to have animal encyclopedias laying around my room … I was obsessed with animals, but marine animals were always my favorite, and it just kind of stuck.”
Coming to La Salle from St. John the Baptist Catholic School, Rast expressed that biology is her favorite subject, and has been since she was homeschooled for half of fourth grade. She enjoys biology due to the emphasis it places on understanding the world, focusing less on math and more on “putting the pieces together and figuring out how things work,” she said.
In addition to science, another class she particularly appreciates is German.
Part of that is due to the atmosphere created in the class by one of Rast’s favorite teachers this year, German teacher Mr. David Lane.
“He actually shows that he cares about each of his students,” she said. “He remembers things, and is always supportive and accommodates to whatever each person needs — if they’re having a really hard time, he’s always there to talk to.”
Rast has been studying German for three years, and expressed that her peers play a large role in helping her feel connected to the class. This rang especially true last year, when she participated in the school’s spring break trip to Germany.
“I really like the people in that class. I feel like I get along with all [of] them very well,” she said. “On that trip, I grew closer to a lot of those people, and I’m still close with them.”
The trip built bonds between students but also allowed Rast to better understand her family, as she has familial roots in Germany. Seeing its different culture, while also encouraging her dream of traveling, opened a window into her grandparent’s perspective and background.
“It was just such a beautiful place, and it was so fun to experience the culture,” she said. “I can’t even explain how much I loved that trip.”
Aiming to attend college in California or another coastal state, Rast hopes that her future will provide ample opportunity for her to pursue both her passion for travel and love of the ocean.
Rast plans to major in marine biology and minor in psychology. Hoping to continue her education in line with her goal of eventually running her own private practice as a marine-based occupational therapist, she explained that she is shooting for a career combining her desire to help others with her interest in aquatic science.
Her inspiration for this began with something as simple as her pediatrician’s aquarium.
“In my doctor’s office, there’s a fish tank in the waiting room, and when I was younger, I used to just watch it, and it’d soothe my anxiety,” Rast said. “Sometimes just looking at fish can be very therapeutic for some people.”
Outside of academics, Rast has been involved in theater as a soundboard operator since her freshman year. She’s an avid consumer of music and frequent concert attendee, with some of her favorite artists being Lauryn Hill, Frank Ocean, TLC, and Tyler, the Creator.
Looking back, Rast has learned several clear lessons: Be confident. Take chances. And don’t overthink it.
“I used to be really scared of taking risks and doing stuff, but now I’m really outgoing. I really have no problem talking to new people,” Rast said. “In reality, all these little things that I was so scared of happening aren’t gonna be relevant to me in the future. I really just need to keep that mindset [of] ‘is this really gonna be a problem for me in five years? Probably not.’”
