Muskego High School Salutatorian Ready for College

As he commences his senior year at Muskego High School, Jacob Berlyn recognizes the major influences that have helped him achieve success. He has a 4.655 grade point average, is currently ranked second in his class and scored a 34 on the ACT. On top of that, he’s cross country captain, a member of jazz and wind ensemble, and he also volunteers and holds a summer job.

“On a daily basis, someone who really helps me stay motivated is Coach Michaud,” said Jacob, the son of Liz and Bob Berlyn. “I think he understands me as a person.”

Part of that entails knowing when Jacob is preoccupied with academics and needs to prioritize that.

“He really can tell when I am stressed out and gives me leeway with my training when I need it,” said Jacob, whose best 5K time is 18:06. He also ran a 5:16 mile, and for the 3200-meter his best time is 11:30.

“Coach Michaud is easy to talk to and has helped me decide where I want to go to
school. He gives me more confidence and reassures me that I will get all my work done.”

University of California at Los Angeles and UW- Madison are Jacob’s top two college picks, and he’s been accepted to both. Biology interests him, and he’s considering medical school. With 10 AP classes behind him, and a member of National Honor Society and president of Mu Alpha Theta, Jacob said he likes to be challenged and understands the discipline required.

“I’m usually at school from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. when I get home from track,” Jacob said. “And I probably spend 3 hours on homework a night.”  The key to his success, he said, is balance.

“I’ve made sure I’ve set enough time aside at home and on the weekends to study and make sure I do every assignment and make sure I’m not skipping,” he said. “That can really be a downward spiral.”

Jacob is also committed to music, and his grandfather, Nick Malett of Greenfield, has been his mentor.

“He has been my private saxophone instructor for the past five years,” said Jacob, who also cleans and repairs musical instruments at White House Music Shop in New Berlin during the summer. He also marched in the MHS band as a drum major and is vice president of Modern Music Masters, the music honor society at school.

He also volunteers by helping out with statistics at Brookfield East High School in New Berlin. This summer, he looks forward to reading Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World.