Savannah Lassila, a senior at Munising High School and future United States Space Force enlistee, has been named one of the 2025 Excellence in Education Scholars — an honor reserved for the top 5 percent of graduating seniors across Marquette and Alger counties.

Lassila, known for her academic drive and unrelenting curiosity, selected longtime educator Mandy Frantti as her most influential teacher.

The recognition is part of the region’s Excellence in Education Week, organized annually by Grow & Lead: Community and Youth Development.

Since 1994, the program has celebrated student achievement and educational impact, made possible through a $1 million endowment from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and continued community support.

Each Excellence in Education Scholar selects one edu- cator who has shaped his or her academic journey.

Lassila, who maintains a 4.0 GPA and ranks among the top three in a highly competitive graduating class, said the award felt like validation for years of hard work — but also a chance to give back.

“I was really excited to have that little bit of recognition,” she said. “But what meant even more was the opportunity to choose a teacher who made such a big impact on me. It’s one thing to tell her she’s my favorite, but to actually pick her for something like this — that felt really meaningful.”

Frantti, who has taught Lassila in STEM, physics, applied physics and precalculus, said the honor holds deep personal value.

“Out of all the kinds of awards I’ve gotten as a teacher, this one means the most,” Frantti said. “It’s what your students think that counts — not someone reading a description from a form. When a student says you made a difference in their life, that’s the highest compliment.”

Lassila said her relationship with Frantti has been instrumental in her academic success.

“Miss Frantti has taught me how to learn,” Lassila said. “She connects everything we’re studying to real life — brain research, careers, even structural failures like the Tacoma Narrows Bridge collapse. I’ve taken away a deeper understanding of how the world works — and how I work best within it.”

Frantti called Lassila “probably the most dedicated and tenacious student I’ve ever had,” noting that her hunger for understanding went far beyond just getting the right answer.

“She’s always prepared, always asking questions — not for the grade, but because she really wants to understand,” Frantti said. “She’s incredibly respectful, friendly and sincere. An amazing student and an amazing person.”

That tenacity was on display earlier this year, Lassila recalled, when she and a group of classmates spent over an hour trying to solve a single precalculus modeling problem.

Frantti held back from giving them the answer, knowing the struggle would teach more than the solution.

“We stayed after class for five extra minutes just to figure it out,” Lassila said. “There was this rush of adrenaline. When we finally solved it, it was such a rewarding feeling. She saw that and let us work through it. That’s why I respect her so much.”

Savannah’s father, TJ Lassila, said he and her mother, Amy, have always been proud of their daughter’s ability to focus on what matters.

“She’s good at deleting distractions and honing in on whatever she finds valuable,” he said. “She’s driven, self-directed and when she sets her mind to something, she follows through.”

TJ credited early habits like reading and strong communication for helping shape her success.

“She was never an iPad kid — she read constantly,” he said. “That foundation made a big difference.”

In addition to her academic focus, Lassila has taken on several leadership roles. She is president of her Youth in Government delegation, secretary of both the National Honor Society and Key Club and serves as a class representative on the Student Council.

She is also a member of the Student Leadership Team and plays in the school’s jazz band. Her involvement reflects a well-rounded commitment to civic engagement, teamwork and the arts — qualities that extend beyond the classroom.

Lassila’s next chapter begins with the United States Space Force, where she’ll head for basic training before starting a full-time job with the branch. Though she’s not taking a traditional college path, she sees this award as fuel for her future.

“My biggest goal is to make the most of every opportunity I’m given,” she said. “I want to set myself up financially, grow from every experience and eventually start a family. I know what I want in life, and I’m working toward it.”

Frantti said that level of self-awareness sets Lassila apart.

“She knows her mind, and she doesn’t waver,” Frantti said. “When she told me she was nominating me, I was honored.”

As for the lessons Frantti hopes to leave behind, they reach far beyond the equations and experiments.

“I want my students to grow up to be kind, to be problem solvers, to become good human beings with strong character,” she said. “That’s the legacy that matters most.”

Savannah Lassila is well on her way to embodying that legacy — tenacity, integrity and all.