Being a student-athlete doesn’t always end at graduation, and for senior Reese Temme, it will only level up.

“I think my favorite part of being a student athlete is the challenge,” Temme said. “As much as I complain about it, I do really like having all of that stuff to do.”

In the fall, Temme will attend Case Western Reserve University, where she will study engineering and play softball. Her mother, history teacher Kathleen Temme, notes that Reese’s college acceptance came through hard work and persistence.

Reese “sent a million emails and film, and just made it happen,” Kathleen Temme said. Her high SAT score and strong essay played a role in her acceptance as well.

History teacher Christopher Reilsono, who has known Temme almost her entire life and has also had her as a student, has experienced her growth firsthand. 

“I’ve seen Reese grow, not only as a student, but as a leader,” Reilsono said. “She continues to represent the very best of Baldwin High School, and is someone I am continuously proud of.”

Reilsono credited her likeable personality and work ethic, which he has witnessed through her role as the president of the National Honors Society, which he sponsors at Baldwin.

“She’s a natural leader, but she also has a great heart, and I think that comes through in all that she does,” Reilsono said. “She’s well respected by both teachers and students alike, and she works really hard both in the classroom and outside of it.”

Over the years, Temme became very involved in many clubs and gained leadership roles. In addition to leading the National Honor Society, she serves as secretary for the Class of 2026, and secretary for Best Buddies and Special Olympics.

She participates in children’s grief awareness club, math league, Spanish National Honor Society, National Art Honor Society, and has played volleyball and softball for all four years of high school.

She has been a varsity softball captain since her freshman year. This was a big year for the softball team, which finished second in the section and made it to the semifinals in WPIAL playoffs. The Highlanders will play in the state playoffs next week.

Temme was named the WPIAL 5A Section 4 Player of the Year, and she was chosen for First Team All-Section for the second year in a row.

Reese and her sister, sophomore Camryn Temme, have played together for the past two years and have found that playing together has helped their relationship on and off the field.

“Playing with my sister has been so special because it is a bond that not many people get to experience,” Temme said. “I appreciate being able to watch her grow up as a player and as a person as much as being next to her and by her side.” 

Reese’s mother has enjoyed watching her daughters, Camryn and Reese, play together again, and she loves seeing them cheer each other on.

“It’s been fun to watch for sure,” Kathleen Temme said. “They are each other’s biggest cheerleaders on the field.” 

Reese’s supportive personality and patience has allowed her to make a difference in the first two years of Camryn’s high school softball experience. As a center fielder, Temme has been a mentor in teaching Camryn the skills needed to be an outfielder.  

“She really helped Camryn a lot in playing outfield, because that is a position Camryn has never played before,” Kathleen Temme said.  “I think she’s really stepped into that role of being a mentor for Camryn.” 

Senior Mackenzie Bowen, who plays softball and is also very involved in school clubs, has developed a relationship with Temme through their similarities. Bowen and Temme quickly formed their strong bond, starting with eighth grade softball, and have been close friends since.

“It’s genuinely a judgment-free zone. I can tell her anything, and she will still love me the next day,” Bowen said. “She’s always had my back, so having her as a best friend has made me the person I am today.” 

Bowen is inspired by Temme’s approach to balancing her busy schedule. 

“She’s always organized and straight to the point, and she always has a plan for everything,” Bowen said. 

Bowen has noticed and been motivated by Temme’s success in balancing academics and sports.  

“It’s so nice having someone who understands you on a sports level but also academically. She challenges me and pushes me to take all of these hard classes,” Bowen said.  

Special Olympics and Best Buddies sponsor Eric Jankoski, meanwhile, highlighted Temme’s dedication to the clubs, despite her busy schedule. Even in Temme’s busiest months of her softball season, she continues to contribute to the clubs she is involved in, he said.  

“With her being a member of the softball team, she helps us with recruiting members from her team to come help at the spring invitational every year,” Jankoski said. 

Reilsono points out how Temme’s involvement as a Highlander makes her stand out as an example to other students in the school.   

“She’s genuinely a good person, and I think that’s something that anyone who knows Reese can say because of her big heart and the way that she does things for the right reasons,” Reilsono said. “I think that is something that other students appreciate and also try to embody.”

Temme finds excitement in taking on new challenges at Case Western Reserve, and she is looking forward to the new beginnings.  

“I think that going to a new city, a new state, is just really exciting for me,” Temme said. “I get to meet all new people, and it’s just going to be something different that I really get to embrace and find my own path there.”