Whitefish senior hopes to tackle the mysteries of the brain

Editor’s note: This is the second in a series recognizing talented graduates from the class of 2015. This year’s series highlights students who are shaping or creating their futures as artists, entrepreneurs, scientists, inventors or humanitarians.

Peyton Twete wants to move on from Whitefish High School to unravel the mysteries of the brain.

The senior will speak at graduation Saturday, and from there it’s on to Carroll College in Helena, where she hopes to major in biochemistry and molecular biology (a single major at Carroll), ultimately heading into the field of neuroscience.

“My dream goal? I guess it is what everyone says,” she said. “I’d love to cure Alzheimer’s. I’d love to have an impact on the world. That’s kind of cliché, I guess.”

If striving to cure one of the most prevalent neurological diseases known is cliché, very little else is about Twete.

A friendly, energetic 18-year old, she put that energy to good use during high school as a track and cross country athlete, not to mention dabbling in basketball.

Although she intends to focus on her studies in Helena, a funny situation at the Montana state track meet in Kalispell two weeks ago reminded her how close she will remain to her athletic career.

“In the 800-meter race I raced against three other girls who will be going to Carroll,” she said.

Now Twete intends to use her energy to look into the mysteries of the brain. Her interest in gray matter goes back only to last year.

“I took a class called Human Body Systems my junior year,” she said. “We had a unit on the brain and it was just super intriguing to me. There are so many diseases that affect the brain.”

Whitefish High School’s Chad Ross taught that class and Twete thanks the science teacher and head football coach for the inspiration. She helped repay the push by being an unofficial spirit leader at all of Whitefish’s home football games.

“I love the Bulldogs,” Twete said. “I’m an avid fan. Beating Columbia Falls this year was an amazing game. Maybe the best one I’ve been to.”

Twete also is a big Minnesota Vikings fan, and the irony of loving football and the brain is not lost on the graduating senior and member of the “Dog pound” cheering section.

“There’s a connection there for sure,” Twete said. “I’m very interested in concussions and how they impact the brain.”

An ideal future for her would bring her back to the Flathead to work in neurological health. Twete plans to minor in psychology, since she believes that would assist her career interests.

Carroll College appealed to her because of small class sizes and beautiful campus. She also said the good football team was another check in the pro column.

Twete stayed busy in high school and was a member of several organizations such as the Distributive Education Clubs of America (better known as DECA), which taught her marketing and business management skills. She traveled with DECA to Orlando, Florida, this April for the international meeting. While there, she ran a 5-kilometer race and instantly wanted to get away from the humidity.

Another organization, HOSA Future Health Professionals, has helped prepare Twete for a career in the health-care field.

And like any Whitefish-raised woman, she skis, boats and camps, finding time for recreation between classes, clubs, sports and three years of employment at the Whitefish Lake Restaurant.

“It’ll be nice to get some money before college, that’s for sure,” she said.

No matter what she does this summer, Twete plans to dive into the enigma that is the human brain.

“A lot of what fascinates me is we know so little about it,” she said. “You can be in a terrible car accident and walk away from it with no issues. You can bump your head in a much smaller accident and be paralyzed. It’s just so intricate.”

Her parents, Brenda and Todd, and brother McKinley will attend Saturday as she speaks about the past four years of her high school experience.

“Until this spring, I wasn’t even sure if I could make Carroll work,” Twete said. “But my parents told me that no matter what, we’d make it happen. They are my biggest fans. Thanks parents!”

One of her top memories from the last few years that she might be speaking about include the cross-country team finishing second at state her last two years. Another memory is when Twete was selected as Princess Freya during her junior year’s Whitefish Winter Carnival.

“I had an amazing time, it was a whirlwind. I’d like to be duchess and then queen,” she said with a laugh. “I want to work my way up the line of royalty.”

Twete has created memories in Whitefish, and hopes her path will bring her back someday after creating an impact on the world of neuroscience, and maybe creating a cure for neurological disease.

“I love Whitefish,” she said. “I love being here. The fact that school is ending is kind of sad. I loved high school. But I can always come back.”

Reporter Ryan Murray may be reached at 758-4436 or by email at rmurray@dailyinterlake.com.