Musical prodigy and senior music education major, Paige Pierson has shown some of the greatest dedication to the music program at Lakeland. Pierson has also shown her love for the campus through her list of involvement, making an impact on those who have had the privilege of knowing her throughout her four years. As she gears up for her graduation on Saturday, May 9, she prepares for a future in music education, a goal that has been in her mind since joining the Sheboygan Symphony Youth Orchestra. Her dedication to music has not gone unnoticed, as Pierson was recently named the 2026 Outstanding Student in Music at the annual Honors Banquet
When asked about the most impactful experience she’s had at Lakeland, she reflected on the fact that she can’t pick a specific experience: “all the people I’ve met and made a connection with.” Notably, Phi Delta Omega Sorority, Lakeland University band and everyone has left a lasting impact on her. Her involvement extends from Phi Delta Omega and band, she has also been recognized for her work in Honors Student Council, Campus Orchestra, Garden Club, drum major for Muskie Pride Marching Band, Japanese association, Student Government Association, the band assistant, an Academic Coach and Blue & Gold Champion. All of which she has met people from diverse backgrounds and lifestyles that she is grateful to have met.
Her music journey started in the third grade, when she started playing piano and joined the Sheboygan Symphony Youth Orchestra playing the flute. In the Youth Orchestra she discussed how she “met so many people who loved music” and knew that’s what she wanted to do for the rest of her life.
Pierson’s journey to Lakeland was a unique experience, received the Lakeland University Humanities and Fine Arts Scholarship, which was her deciding factor to come to Lakeland, but then she broke her back weeks before classes started. With this accident, she was forced to start her first semester online and transition to being an on-campus student in the spring of 2023.
Looking back, Pierson says, “I was so thankful to be online, I felt a part of campus, but I was so excited to get here in person.” The transition was very easy for her as her online classes allowed her to be already connected to classmates. She also stated that everyone on campus was welcoming and helpful, which made it easy to integrate.
One of the people on campus that has been impacted by Pierson most is her sorority little sister, Gretchen Augustine. When asked about Pierson, Augustine said “she was one of the first Lakeland students I met at Blue & Gold Days. Knowing she was in band made me excited to join my second semester.” Augustine continued that Pierson has always been so encouraging. On Pierson’s encouragement, Augustine stated “I feel like maybe she just makes Lakeland a happier place.”
During her time here, Pierson has stayed busy, but the thing she is proudest of is her Senior Recital for the music program at the John Michael Kohler Arts Center in downtown Sheboygan, Wis. where she was an intern this past summer. Her Senior Recital was the pinnacle of all her work at Lakeland; she beamed that she put so much work into it and to finally do it and having it all together it was “such a nice moment and it turned out so good.”
Augustine pondered on the change she had seen in Pierson through the three years she has known her, “she has always been one of the nicest people I know, but it has been good to see her grow into the way she is accomplishing things.” Augustine is proud of seeing Pierson complete things that are new and bigger than herself; Pierson’s Senior Recital was a prime example. Pierson talked about how she saw change in herself, “I became more confident; I feel like I come off as more confident. At the beginning I was more fake it until you make it, now not so much.”
Outside of music, Pierson says she’s “a crafty gal” discussing her hobby of crocheting and how she wishes she was on campus more during her last semester to be around for the formation of Yarn Club. She is also passionate about her friends and all the things, clubs and events they do.
Augustine and many other students on campus will miss Pierson. What sticks out to Augustine is how she will “miss how long it has been since [she has] seen me, she always seems happy to see me and catch up and tell me about her life, and she is always excited to hear about my life.” Pierson is a listener, always there for those around her. Pierson recently received a job offer, after graduation she will be teaching fifth grade band and orchestra in the Sheboygan Area School District.