SNAPSHOTS

What is one thing you’d bring with you on an island: Books

Favorite food: Mongolian beef

Something you will cherish forever: High school memories

Favorite after school activity: Reading and going for runs

One mythical animal as a pet: Dragon

ZOOMING IN

Q: What college will you attend? What is your intended major and why that major?

A: “In the fall I will be attending Wichita State University and pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering. I picked mechanical engineering because designing and putting things together has always been something I’ve really enjoyed, alongside working with complex machinery. I think engineering will give me an opportunity to create real change and contribute to the world of STEM. I also plan to minor in music to continue my passion for band and the performing arts.”

Q: What extracurriculars have you been involved in throughout high school?

A: “Throughout high school I’ve been a part of the Lady Farmers soccer team and the LHS band, as well as a member of NHS. This past year, I was fortunate enough to serve as both the varsity captain and head drum major, which allowed me to have a significant impact on both programs and make really meaningful memories.”

Q: What was the most challenging aspect about balancing extracurriculars and academics?

A: “The most challenging part of juggling multiple extracurriculars and my academics has definitely been recognizing my own limits and working on not over scheduling myself. It’s so important to take time to rest and give yourself a break, especially at such a pivotal time in life.”

Q: What class was the most challenging for you? Why?

A: “The hardest class I’ve taken was AP physics—not necessarily because of the content itself, but because of the circumstances surrounding the class. We faced a lot of inconsistencies, including frequent teacher absences and gaps in instruction, which made it challenging to keep up with the material on our own. It pushed me to become more self-reliant and proactive in my learning, which ended up being a valuable experience in the long run.”

Q: Who has helped you the most throughout these last four years? How have they helped you?

A: “Over the past four years, my biggest supporters have been my parents and the mentors I’ve had through band and soccer. My parents have always been there for me with encouragement, advice and late night pep talks when I had an essay due at 11:59 p.m. At school, my band directors and coaches have pushed me to grow not just as a leader, but as a person. They’ve believed in me, challenged me and helped prepare me for whatever comes next.”

Q: What has been the most memorable part of high school?

A: “For me, the most memorable part of high school has been my time with the band and soccer team. There’s something really special about dedicating so much time to something that is so much bigger than just yourself and getting to watch all that hard work finally pay off. I have so many amazing memories from football games, Saturday competitions and tournaments that have made my high school experience what it was. I’m so grateful to have gotten to spend the last four years doing what I love with my best friends.”

Q: What advice would you give to your freshman self?

A: “I would advise my freshman self to trust the process. Everything doesn’t have to be perfect on the first try and it’s okay to make mistakes. They’re where you learn the most and you can’t let the fear of messing up stop you from trying. Growth takes time and the hard work will pay off eventually.”

Q: What are you most excited about regarding college?

A: “I’m most excited about the new experiences and freedoms that come with college life. I’m looking forward to being able to manage my own schedule and have more control over how I spend my time, instead of having every part of my day dictated by a bell. Also, I can’t wait to meticulously plan and decorate a dorm room.”

Q: Where do you hope to see yourself in 10 years?

A: “In ten years, I hope to have earned my master’s degree in engineering and be working as a performance engineer for McLaren Racing. I’ve always been drawn to the precision and innovation of motorsports and through that line of work, I hope to not only push the limits of performance, but also travel and experience the world.”

Q: What would you change about your high school experience?

A: “Throughout high school, I’ve spent probably about 90% of my time balancing extracurriculars and academics. If I could change anything, I’d go back and work on finding a healthier balance earlier on to limit the stress and pressure I felt. This would also have allowed me to make more time for friends outside of my activities. The best memories from high school come from small moments with the people you surround yourself with and I wish I had started to prioritize that earlier.”