A Wizard’s Path: Margaret “Maggie” Ohm

Washingtonville High School senior Margaret “Maggie” Ohm loves a challenge. Whether she’s on the field, in the courtroom, the classroom, or behind the lens, in the last four years Maggie has discovered the satisfaction that comes from pushing herself outside of her comfort zone. 

“I see schoolwork and activities very similarly,” Maggie said. “I love learning — whether that’s reading or coding — I just want to know everything.”

That curiosity has led Maggie to embrace a wide range of roles throughout her high school career. She currently serves as president of the Yearbook Club, public relations officer for the National Art Honor Society, a reporter for the Blooming Grove Post, and is a member of  National Honor Society and the school’s Mock Trial team. 

Maggie joined the National Art Honor Society (NAHS) her junior year and stepped into the public relations role soon after. As part of the position, she manages the organization’s social media presence, designing posts and graphics using Procreate and drawing inspiration from Pinterest. 

“Honestly, I really love it,” she said. “There’s usually a craft or artwork happening during meetings, and it gives people a space to just create without pressure or confinement.”

As Yearbook Club president, Maggie takes on a leadership role that blends creativity with coordination. She manages communication, reaches out to staff and students, schedules photo coverage and steps in behind the camera when needed.

“One of the biggest challenges this year was designing the cover,” she said. “Everyone had opinions, which I actually appreciated because it gave me insight into what people wanted. Some wanted something traditional, others wanted something more fun. We ended up meeting in the middle, and now the hard part is over. Now we just get to design the book, which is really exciting.”

Over the summer, Maggie expanded her storytelling skills as a reporter for the Blooming Grove Post, where she covered local stories ranging from fire safety to profiling a farmer who grows food for community members in need. 

“Interviewing people and seeing your work in print is really rewarding,” she said. “It helps you understand different perspectives, and I think that experience will be really beneficial as I transition into college.”

One of Maggie’s most transformative experiences has been Mock Trial. After initially being assigned to be a back up attorney, she was called upon to step into a lead role during a defamation case that advanced all the way to finals. 

“I had to step up unexpectedly, but it was really good,” she said. “I got the defendant so close to admitting everything. We didn’t win, but that moment really solidified my love for being in court.”

Although Maggie was hesitant to join Mock Trial at first, the experience has helped her build confidence, especially with public speaking. 

“It helped me so much,” she said. “I’m not naturally good at speaking in front of people, but having them there to sort of instill that confidence really made a difference.”

She compares the thrill of Mock Trial to both sports and strategy games. 

“It’s a lot like soccer, or even chess,” she explained. “The first time I stood up for the actual case was such a rush. It’s like a boost of serotonin, and you just want to keep chasing that feeling.” 

In athletics, Maggie recently concluded an impressive final soccer season. This fall, the team advanced to the state level, an exciting achievement that capped off her five-year journey on Washingtonville soccer teams. 

“I didn’t think we’d even make it past the second round of sectionals,” she said. “So going to the states was a crazy experience, especially with such a great group of girls.”

This year, she’s also competing on the golf team and is in the running for team captain. 

Looking ahead, Maggie is applying to college as a criminal justice major, with an interest in pursuing civil law like her mother. At the same time, she’s keeping an open mind, exploring interests in math and engineering that connect to her love of coding and problem solving.

“I like being challenged and working with my hands,” she said. “I’m keeping my options open and seeing where my experiences take me.”

When reflecting on her high school journey and how far she’s come in the last few years, Maggie’s advice to younger students is to not let fear hold you back.

“Stop waiting,” she said. “I waited two years to join Mock Trial. I waited to put myself out there. If I could tell myself anything, it would be to stop being shy and get out of your comfort zone. That’s what makes the difference between what you want to do and what you actually do.”