Lycoming Valley Teen of the Week: Madison Shrimp

MONTGOMERY — Living on a dairy farm that has approximately 20 beef cattle, Madison Shrimp understands the value of hard work.

"We feed our cows bread," Shrimp said. "Me, my Dad and my brother (John) have to open the bread. It's bread you buy in the store. We have to feed the cows, we have to water them. That takes about an hour every day."

She noted that bread is fed to the cows as it helps them to gain weight.
"The grain in it is really good for them," Shrimp said.

Shrimp has been selected as the first Lycoming Valley Teen of the Week, for February.

A senior at the Montgomery Junior/Senior High School, Shrimp plays basketball, and is on the track and field team. She's also involved in the Bible quiz team at her church, New Covenant Assembly of God, of Montgomery.

"When I started going back to Montgomery, when I was in seventh grade, I decided I wanted to go back into basketball," Shrimp said. "I've been doing it ever since."

As a sophomore, she decided to join the track and field team.


"I wanted to branch out and do more things," she said. "I enjoy having a place where I can put all of my passion into something I enjoy doing."


Shrimp enjoys the camaraderie that comes with being involved in athletics.


"It's a way to make more friends," she said. "Our track and field team, it's joined with Muncy. I get to see people I wouldn't normally see."



Shrimp's father, Bryan Shrimp, encouraged her to join the Bible quiz team.


"I wasn't super excited at first," Madison said. "When I started to do it, I really loved it."


"I was able to make more friends in my church that I didn't have before. It's really fun to memorize the scripture and compete with other churches, and to learn more about God."


In the classroom, Shrimp enjoys her art and advanced-placement statistics classes. 


"(Art) is a nice way to express my creativity," she said. "(Statistics) is a really small class. I'm able to learn a lot quicker because my teacher is able to work more with us than in a bigger-size class."


Shrimp draws inspiration from her leadership teacher, Shanna Haden.


"She puts a lot of effort into her lessons and work," Shrimp said, of Haden. "She makes our classroom interactive... She puts a lot of time and effort into giving us a good education."


After high school, Shrimp plans to attend a four-year college.


"I want to become a forensic scientist," she said. "I always wanted to be someone that brought justice to criminals.


"I thought about being a detective," Shrimp continued. "I decided forensic science would be better. It's a way to work alongside police to bring justice for families."


She decided on the career path about a year ago. While she was nervous about the course load that will come with a major in forensic science, a teacher confirmed her the time put in will be worth it.


"(The teacher said) once you get through the first four years (of college), then you'll have a job you enjoy," Shrimp said.


Shrimp has a 4.0 grade point average, and scored 1140 on her SATs.


Joe Stoudt, Montgomery Junior/Senior High School principal, nominated Shrimp for Teen of the Week.


"To me, Madison was an obvious choice to represent Montgomery in the Lycoming Valley Teen of the Week competition," Stoudt said. "She has consistently demonstrated academic excellence and unquestionable character throughout her high school career. Madison is also very well-rounded, dedicating time outside the classroom to athletics and her church. Her quiet demeanor masks an individual who is fiercely determined to succeed."


By Kevin Mertz

The Standard-Journal