Early on, Alannah Mac Donald-Katz set her sights on challenging herself. She saw Greenville High School's International Baccalaureate (IB) Full Diploma program as a launchpad, offering the opportunity to thrive, make a difference, and prepare for life well beyond high school.
Alannah compares IB to AP for its challenging workload, but points out that IB stands apart because it puts students in the driver’s seat, much like a true college course. “You’re responsible for your own learning. You have to look at the slideshow and study for your own tests. No one is telling you exactly what to know,” she shared. The program offers a more self-directed approach, with less reliance on guided note-taking and formal study guides, and an emphasis on applying knowledge, not just committing it to short-term memory.
“If kids are planning to go off to college and want to be successful, taking IB classes is their best chance of walking into a college class and not being surprised,” said Program coordinator Kendall Fritze. “IB gives students the benefit of doing that preparation in a space where they’re still comfortable, confident, and surrounded by a familiar support system.”
IB courses have the added challenge of internal assessments, research papers, and hands-on projects. This approach ensures that students put their knowledge to the test in real-world scenarios. As a full diploma student, Alannah tackles all the core IB classes, including Theory of Knowledge and CAS, but she also takes on the Extended Essay - a 4,000-word deep dive into a topic of her choice. At just 16 years old, she has chosen to explore how space debris affects our atmosphere.
Being an IB Full Diploma student also means learning not just for the sake of a grade. Recently, Alannah joined Greenville’s Business Club, DECA, just for the fun of it - even though business isn’t her future path. As it turns out, she excelled in the club, earning sixth place at the State competition and a coveted spot at the International Career Development Conference, the world’s largest and most prominent high school business and entrepreneurship competition. Only the top 5% of students make it that far. She qualified alongside Nicole Chase, a 2026 graduate and Full IB-Diploma Candidate.
Even with a demanding course load, Alannah finds balance and enjoys the same experiences as her peers. She carves out time for her many passions - leading the Science Club as President, competing in FFA events, working as a certified softball umpire, trying new recipes in the kitchen, golfing with her family, and even taking aim as a competitive archer.
“Homework is important,” she shared, “but you still have to have fun while you’re in high school. I utilize study halls as much as possible, and try not to pack my weekends totally full, so I can work on projects and study. I’ve found that doing a little bit each day is better than doing everything all at once.”
A cornerstone of the program is CAS - Creativity, Activity, Service. Students dedicate themselves to these pillars, culminating in a major project that demands vision and planning. For Alannah, this meant orchestrating a Science Night at the elementary school. She handled everything, from communicating with staff and families to designing interactive stations, gathering materials, and making sure the event ran smoothly - making Science Night a showcase of creativity, action, and service.
Beyond academics, IB prepares students for life by broadening their horizons. The program inspires students to discover new cultures and perspectives. Last spring, Alannah traveled to Italy and Greece with her IB Latin class. Experiencing history firsthand brought her studies to life. “I appreciated Europe for the care they give to preservation. Their cultures didn’t die. They’re still evolving, and it’s all still there to see.”
What lies ahead for this ambitious senior? This semester, Alannah will finish her Associate Degree while still in high school. In the fall, she will attend college in Canada, where she’ll transfer in as a Junior. “The IB program played a large role in my ability to accomplish this because college courses require you to be focused, independent, and responsible for your own success, which the IB program helps you to prepare.”
Alannah is eager to study physics and, one day, become a university professor. For now, she’s embracing each day as it comes, excited to explore everything college life offers - from astronomy classes to joining a rocket club, where she’ll get hands-on experience building rockets in her free time.
That’s the magic of IB: it transforms learning into a journey that extends far beyond the classroom. It’s not just about racking up credits or tackling tougher courses. IB shapes students into independent, curious, and reflective thinkers who are eager to make their learning matter in the real world.
Alannah Mac Donald-Katz has a simple message for younger students: try.
Don’t just do what’s easy or familiar. Use high school to try new things and figure out who you want to be.