Who’s your hear me out celebrity crush?

My hear me out celebrity crush is Ryan Gosling as Ken from the Barbie movie. 

What’s your favorite book or movie? Why does it resonate with you?

Oh my gosh, choosing a favorite book is so hard! I think two of my favorite books currently are “Love and Other Words” by Christina Lauren and “The Midnight Library” by Matt Haig. I loved “Love and Other Words” because it was a childhood friends to lovers’ plot, and it felt like a comfort book, like a Hallmark movie. It was such a cute and easy read. For “The Midnight Library,” it really resonated with me because I’m a “What If” person. I’m always curious about what would’ve happened if I chose to do x,y,z, and “The Midnight Library” kind of explores all the “What Ifs” of the main character. At the end (Oh this might be a spoiler, whoops) the character finds out that the life she is currently living is the life she’s meant to have, you know?

What do you like most about school?

I really like the fact that I’m able to learn things. I know that’s such a basic answer, but I am really thankful that I’m able to take classes that challenge me academically and broaden my knowledge. 

What do you like least about school?

 Oh, I really hate the social pressure aspect of it. Like I must look or do this thing to “fit in.”

What is your favorite high school tradition?

In theater, there’s this tradition called the Magic Circle. It’s like cast prayers and warmups before the show starts. I love it because it’s just a moment where you all feel bonded together and you’re like, “Oh, we’re doing this,” this is our family and we’re able to bring a story to life. 

What is your favorite pep rally theme?

I love pink out or that one time we had a Barbie theme. 

What’s the wildest thing you’ve seen at CHS? 

My freshman year, I think, we had this one spirit week theme that was to bring anything but a backpack day. And these two guys brought a full-on dryer to school. That was crazy. 

What is your favorite childhood tradition?

My favorite childhood tradition is going to see my grandparents during summer break. They live in Kansas, so we don’t really see them that much, and their house feels like a second home to me. 

What’s your favorite class you’ve taken? How did it impact you?

I have two: ASL and my interning class I’m taking now. I always wanted to learn ASL so the fact that I had a chance to, was really special to me. I don’t think that I’m like a “good” signer, and I’m definitely nowhere near being fluent, but I got to learn so much about the Deaf World and I can hold a basic conversation in ASL, so that’s really special to me. In my interning class that I’m in now, it’s so special to me because I’ve always wanted to be a teacher, and now I have the chance to go, and observe/student teach different classrooms. 

What has been your favorite HS organization to be a part of? And why?

Oh, I also have two for this. ASLHS [American Sign Language Honor Society] and theater (both drama club and musical). I love ASLHS because we do so much for the community, and it’s not like your regular volunteer things. We’ve done present wrappings for books, and we’ve read books and signed them for elementary kids. I also really love theater. I think the thing that I love the most is that we all become a second family. 

What was your favorite school? (Elementary, Intermediate, Jr High or High school)

I think High School has been my favorite.

What year of high school was your favorite?

I think sophomore or senior year.

Which teacher will you miss the most throughout all of school?

The teacher that I will miss the most is probably Ms. Prather. She has become my school mom. I think that’s because I’ve had classes with her for three years in a row and we see each other all the time, since we’re constantly volunteering with ASLHS.

Can you describe a time when you felt particularly proud of an achievement? 

Oh just recently, I had a kind of breakthrough moment with a kid in the class I was interning with. I felt so proud because it’s such a small thing, but also such a huge thing. Like, this kid trusts me and I’m able to make them smile. And it feels huge to me because I’m only with this kid for 2 hours a day, you know?

Can you recall when you stepped out of your comfort zone and experienced personal growth?

Sophomore year, I student directed a class play. It was really challenging, and I don’t know how good I actually ended up doing, but I learned how to communicate my ideas and help lead a group of people. I think I got really confident in my ability to take a leadership position.

 How do you balance academic demands, extracurricular activities, and personal responsibilities during high school?

My planner became such a best friend to me. I mean sometimes I forget to actually check it, but it’s nice to write down my to-do lists and when I have events. I was really bad at this during freshman year, but I’m slowly learning to balance self-care time with my schoolwork. 

How have your friendships evolved or changed throughout high school?

I didn’t really enter high school with a friend group. I had people I was close to but like not a specific group. Over the years, I drifted apart from them. And now, I have people I love to talk to, but I don’t know if I have really deep friendships anymore, and that’s okay. We’re just all trying to find ourselves. 

Are you scared of what’s to come after you graduate? Why or why not.

I think I’m a little scared for the future. Like having to figure out what I want to do with the rest of my life and figuring out how I’m going to meet people when it’s no longer like, you sit by them during class. That’s a little scary, but I’m also excited for it.

What’s inspiring you in life? And how

I don’t really know. I think the people I’m around are encouraging to me to always do my best. 

What do you plan on doing after graduation? 

I’m going to go to WT and major in education. I want to be an elementary teacher.

What are your aspirations and goals, both personally and professionally?

Personally, I want to be the healthiest and happiest version of me. I want to take care of myself and make a life that I feel content in. Professionally, I just want to make a positive difference in other people’s lives. I hope that I’m able to do that as a teacher, or if plans change, in a different career.

How will you achieve your long-term goals and aspirations?

I think the best answer I can give is that I’m just going to set baby goals and give it my all. 

What was the most surprising thing you learned about yourself during your time in high school?

That I actually feel fulfilled being around people. I’m very introverted and like my own space, so I get burnt out very easily when I’m with people constantly. However, I realized that I love being around people, even if it’s just when I’m doing my own work. 

What’s the one piece of life advice you wish someone had given you sooner?

Make sure that you make you-time a priority. You need to take care of yourself, or you’re going to get burnt out really quick. 

What is your advice for underclassmen?

Get involved in something. Some of my greatest memories are from my extracurriculars and you’ll find people just like you there, and if you don’t know what to get involved in, choose theater. There is a place for everyone in theater, whether that’s a class or the musical (plus we need more guys.)