NFHS Heart of the Arts Award Nominee | Suhn Kaeb, Normal University High School

Normal University High School senior Suhn Kaeb is the IHSA nominee for the NFHS Heart of the Arts Award. Read more about the award here, and read Gage's story below:

Suhn Kaeb embodies the spirit of education-based activities through her unwavering commitment to service, advocacy, and inclusion. Diagnosed with cerebral palsy and adopted transcontinentally, Suhn has faced challenges that affect her mobility, yet she has never allowed those circumstances to define or limit her. Instead, she has embraced them as part of a story rooted in resilience, compassion, and meaningful connection with her school and community.

"The common thread between all the things I invest myself in is I want to deeply understand other people," said Suhn. "If anything, my involvement outside of the classroom has taught me people are worth pouring into."

Throughout her four years of high school, Suhn has participated in multiple IHSA-sanctioned activities, including speech, scholastic bowl, choir, and theatre. Her involvement in the speech team has provided her with a platform to advocate for herself and others.

"The opportunities at U-High have allowed me to do this in amazing ways," said Suhn. "Speech allows me to take what I have learned in the classroom and share about the communities we should all be trying to build for each other."

Through deeply personal and purposeful performances, she has explored topics including cerebral palsy, adoption, identity, and community, inviting audiences to engage with difficult subjects through empathy and understanding. Her ability to communicate with clarity and grace is further demonstrated through her participation in extemporaneous speaking, one of the most challenging events, where she showcases her political knowledge, critical thinking skills, and poise under pressure.

"Through speech team, she has used her voice to advocate for herself and others, delivering powerful, nuanced performances on topics ranging from her experience with cerebral palsy and adoption to broader issues of identity, resilience, and community," said U-High Speech Coach and English teacher Rebekah Hoffman. "Her speeches are personal and purposeful; she brings difficult subjects into the light with grace and insight, inviting others to think, listen, and grow."

Her commitment to servant leadership extends into the classroom and beyond. Through Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR), Suhn developed an action research project centered on supporting unhoused individuals in her community. Going beyond the expectations of the course, she partnered directly with a local nonprofit organization and organized fundraising efforts to provide tangible support. This initiative reflects Suhn's core character: she does not simply study societal challenges-she takes action to help address them.

"More than a theoretical representation of civic engagement and community service ideals, Suhn is a radiant example of someone who authentically lives out the values of an individual committed to social justice," said Amy C. Brokaw, who interacts with Suhn through scholastic bowl, school clubs, and as the school librarian.

Suhn is actively involved in numerous clubs and organizations, including Scholastic Bowl, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and Not In Our School (NIOS), where she consistently works to foster a culture of kindness and belonging. As a member of the NIOS executive board and now its president, Suhn has led initiatives that strengthened school spirit and inclusivity. From organizing a school-wide kindness cookie campaign to coordinating a soup drive during Hunger Action Month, she demonstrated exceptional leadership, organization, and care for others. Her efforts were widely recognized and appreciated by students and faculty alike.

"Suhn's unique voice and perspective on the world has shaped her academic trajectory in innumerable ways," said Meg Flanagan, who serves as Suhn's Scholastic Bowl coach and English Teacher. "She is someone who her peers look to as a positive agent of change and a leader in anything she is a part of."

Beyond school, Suhn continues her service through her church, the Midwest Food Bank, and The Wishing Crane Project, where she writes notes of encouragement to spread hope and kindness. She also served as an election judge, reflecting her growing passion for civic engagement and public service. Suhn stays informed on local, national, and international issues and has even drafted article proposals for national publications-further evidence of her intellectual curiosity and commitment to thoughtful dialogue.

"I'm very grateful for this community and everything U-High has allowed me to pursue and grow at and all the people who have poured into me," said Suhn. "Even though the award is about me overcoming adversity and achieving at a high level, I also recognize that while I did the work it was the people around me and the opportunities I have been given. It is a chance to celebrate with the people who have gotten me here."

Suhn Kaeb's intelligence, empathy, and integrity make her an outstanding candidate for the NFHS Heart of the Arts Award. She exemplifies the ideals of education-based activities by using her talents to uplift others, strengthen communities, and inspire positive change. Her coaches, teachers, and activity sponsors unanimously agree that it is an honor to teach her, coach her, and learn from her example. Suhn's impact reaches far beyond the classroom or competition floor-she leads with heart, purpose, and an unwavering belief in the power of kindness.