TOWAMENCIN – When it comes to life in a high school, the more things a person immerses him or herself in the better experience that student will end up having. North Penn Senior Maura Schaeffer is the epitome of that reality. Over the years, the North Penn School District has brought Schaeffer to new friends, experiences, and memories. Whether it’s running onto the field hockey and lacrosse field with her closest friends or participating in a NHS or SGA meeting, Schaeffer, like many, will always value the time that she has spent with her closest friends in high school. 

“The memories that I have made with my friends are what has made my high school experience so enjoyable and it is what I am going to remember the most. I am so grateful for meeting the best friends anyone could ever ask for, and I am so fortunate to have made the memories that I did. I love taking pictures because they capture so much emotion and feeling, and when I look back at pictures I have taken with my friends my heart fills with joy,” Schaeffer said.

Growing up, Schaeffer has always been surrounded by extremely motivated and hard working people. They say you are only as good as the people that you surround yourself with, and for Schaeffer, that holds true.

“My parents are very hard workers and are always so motivated to get things done that they have kind of instilled the same qualities in me. They have always taught me the value in making memories and how important it is to spend time with your family and friends. My parents have always pushed me to not be afraid and to get involved and become the best version of myself possible. I have so much to thank them for,” Schaeffer said.  

When talking about all Schaeffer is involved in at North Penn, the word “involved” is quite the understatement. The senior is an active member of the Ski and Board Club, Link Crew, National Honors Society (NHS), and The Lacrosse, Field Hockey, Unified Bocce, and Special Olympics teams. All while still being the current Vice President of the Student Government Association (SGA). 

“I love being a part of the North Penn community and when it is all said and done I want to feel like I got the most out of my high school experience. I love feeling very connected to the school and with the variety of activities that I am involved in, I feel that I have experienced it all. I have been an athlete, leader, friend, and volunteer all at North Penn and I believe that it has shaped me into who I am today. Going from activity to activity was not always easy, but I would not change any of it. Running from a lacrosse game to an SGA event or NHS meeting showed me how diverse of a person I can truly be,” Schaeffer said. 

Ever since a young age, Schaeffer has always felt a heavy passion for helping others and getting involved in school spirit, so when the senior eventually got to the high school and found out about SGA, she just knew it was going to be the perfect fit. 

“I have been involved in Student Government since 4th grade and it has always been a strong passion of mine. I have so much school spirit and I genuinely love being able to plan events and help North Penn become a better place… Getting involved and being in the know of what is happening at our school is really important to me so being a part of SGA has always felt right,” Schaeffer added.

Due to the ever changing day to day schedule of North Penn, the school has needed a more vigorous and informative student government than ever before. As Vice President, Schaeffer plays a huge role in planning the wide variety of events that SGA has to offer. From leading meetings all the way to orchestrating spirit days, Schaeffer has played a big part in the program’s success this year, and long time Advisor Kyle Berger has taken notice.

“Maura is a perfect example of the type of well-rounded person who is appreciated by her teachers, coaches, and advisors. When there is something to be done in SGA, if Maura is in charge of it, Ms. Young and I never have to worry about it. She is a natural leader who is involved in so many activities at North Penn all while still being a phenomenal student,” Berger said.

While it may seem like all sunshine and rainbows at times, the pandemic has definitely paid a huge toll on some of the yearly events that North Penn usually has to offer…

“It has been extremely difficult at times for us to plan events because we cannot hold them like we usually do. Some of our favorite events that make everyone feel included and a part of North Penn, have had to be canceled this year. We have struggled with how to raise spirits and spread school pride when some of the students are at home. It is especially sad for me because it is my senior year and I have not been able to plan and organize the best events for the last time,” Schaeffer said.

Another thing that Schaeffer is extremely passionate about besides SGA is helping others. Being a part of and involved in the Special Olympics and Unified Bocce Teams helps Schaeffer express herself in the best way possible, and she is forever grateful for the bonds she has developed in the programs.

“My absolute favorite thing about those clubs is getting the chance to meet and talk with the kids. I have made some great friends and without those activities I would have never had the opportunity to meet them. They are all so kind and seeing so much inclusion first hand was absolutely amazing. Everyone works together as a collective group and nobody is ever left out or excluded,” Schaeffer said.

When talking about Schaeffer it is easy to get caught up on her academic achievements and her wide variety of activities, but what most people tend to forget about the senior is that she is a multi-sport athlete as well.

“Growing up I competitively swam for 6 years. Eventually, a bunch of my swim friends were starting to get involved in field hockey and lacrosse, so I started to as well. My family is very active so playing sports is something that has always come natural to me,” Schaeffer added.

The Field Hockey team this past season finished with a .500 regular season record and was awarded a 12 seed in the district playoffs. While they could not quite get the job done, putting an end to Schaeffer’s field hockey career, the senior will get one more shot at winning a championship this upcoming lacrosse season.

“I am super excited for this upcoming season, and being able to play in real games again is a big deal to me. Our season last year got taken away because of covid and that was a real bummer, so I am even more excited to get back out there with the girls this spring,” Schaeffer added. 

If you know Schaeffer, you know just how much of an outgoing person she can be. Making friends often comes easy to the senior and school sports has just given her yet another outlet to be the social butterfly that she is.

I am so lucky because I have gotten the opportunity to meet a ton of great friends through high school sports, but Laynie [Doran] is one of my favorites. I met her at lacrosse and we can have so much fun together messing around and we are both top notch comedians. She is super motivating and we both lift each other up. I would definitely not be this close to her if it was not for lacrosse so I am very grateful! My biggest hype man!” Schaeffer proclaimed. 

And for Laynie, the feeling is mutual…

“[Maura] is one of the most well-rounded people I have ever met. She really has the best energy on and off the field and we always love cracking jokes on the sideline. Maura is someone our team that we can definitely always rely on to make a big play. I am so glad I met her playing lacrosse because she has become one of my really close friends off the field and we are always on the same page,” Doran said.

Laynie however is not the only one who feels strongly about all that Schaeffer brings to the team. Field Hockey captain, lacrosse teammate, and Lehigh commit Eleni Kountroubis also feels strongly about the senior.

“{Maura} is an incredible asset to the team both on and off the field in so many ways. She is quite possibly the biggest hype man you will ever meet and she will always have your back. She works so hard in everything she does and her positive attitude is contagious. When the girls see her giving it her all, they respond by doing the same. She is exactly what you would want in a teammate and more importantly a friend,” Kountroubis said.

Schaeffer earned herself a spot on the homecoming court.

“For me, being on the court was something that I had always wanted to be a part of. After seeing it at school over the years and watching the ceremony at the football games, I knew how special the event truly was. The whole event was really rewarding because being in SGA, we spent countless hours planning and we put so much effort into it. The people on the court were really amazing and it was so cool for all of us to get to be together,” Schaeffer said.

Despite the circumstances, Schaeffer was still very pleased with the way North Penn went about holding the ceremony.

“Working behind the scenes of the event I saw first hand how difficult everything was because of all the restrictions and I believe we did the best that we could. It was a very fun night for the court and although we did not get to be at the football game with a big crowd, we all enjoyed our time together. It was disappointing to miss out on certain homecoming activities but I know that SGA did the best they could,” Schaeffer noted.

With her high school career slowly coming to an end, it has become apparent to Schaffer that it is time to focus on the next stage of her life: college.

“Going to a big school like North Penn, that is huge on school spirit, has been a huge deciding factor in my college selection. My parents have opened my eyes a lot by showing me so many amazing places during our travels so I knew from the start I wanted to live somewhere new and warm. I am looking for a school that would push me academically and have lots of opportunities for me to grow as a person. I plan on studying exercise science because of my passion for fitness and my top schools right now are Clemson and University of Florida,” Schaeffer said.

While Schaeffer may be moving far away for college, she will make sure to never forget where she has come from and will always be a proud member of the North Penn family.

“I am such a big North Penn fan. I love the school so much and all of the amazing people and opportunities it has given me. I am so grateful for meeting life long friends and teachers that have inspired me and literally changed my life. I am so happy that I took chances and went out of my comfort zone because it made me who I am today. I have been in the district since kindergarten and have grown to love the area and school so much. Moving away will definitely be sad, but exciting at the same time. I could not imagine going to a better school and will 100% miss the people and spirit that everyone brings,” Schaeffer said.