SNAPSHOTS

Favorite snack: Trüfrü chocolate strawberries or Goldfish

Comfort place: My friend’s car

Favorite subject: Anything STEM related

Fall or spring: Fall

Favorite color: Deep sage green

ZOOMING IN

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

A: “I’m attending Vanderbilt University on a Spora scholarship right now. I’m studying three majors there, which is cellular and molecular neuroscience, MHS and CST, which is basically neuroscience. I’m trying to pursue surgery, more particularly, either prenatal or neurosurgery. So that’s why I chose that major. MHS and CST work together to help with the medical field. MHS stands for medical health society, so you’re understanding how society plays a role into the healthcare system [in] United States and how to handle who’s getting treatment who’s not and understanding the difference of the healthcare system.”

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

A: “Throughout high school, I did research with a program. I applied [and] got a scholarship. For the past two summers, I’ve been working [on] research, talking about how hypoxia could be a benefactor or cure for atrial tachycardia rhythms. I’m seeing how high epoxy can be used as a treatment plan. I’ve also done NHS, Interact, and I recently joined StuCo as well. Other than that, I’ve also done JWAC. I’ve competed in academic decathlon for the past three years, made state every year, competed on the UIL science team for about a year. I also have done HOSA, And then outside of school, I’ve done volleyball, martial arts [and] tutoring.”

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

A: “I think the most challenging part was trying to figure out time for myself. But what was harder was trying to find some room where I can have alone time, or time on my own to hang out with friends. My school life balance, [it] took a bit to get there. I was so focused on building a resume, rather than trying to just live high school life. 

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

A:  “I would have to say the most challenging class for me was AP biology freshman year. It was the first ever STEM AP class. I took AP freshman year and I would say it was a very big adjustment jumping from eighth grade [honors courses to] jumping into AP, where it’s more of a student led course. [It was challenging to] try to figure out my good study routine, to figure out what study habits work for me and overall, how well I can self sustain myself in a class like that. [The most difficult part was] trying to figure out how or what kind of student I was trying to build on my strengths rather than figure out all of my weaknesses.”

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

A: “The two teachers [that have supported me] are Dr. Delozier and Dr. Lancaster. Dr. Delozier helped me by keeping me sane, she kept me in reality. She told me that everything is not going to be perfect [and] I don’t need to get good grades for everything. She always told me [to] never to push myself or work myself too hard. I remember going to AcDec competitions, I would get stressed out [whether] I’m going to remember my speech or if I’m going to do good on this test. Dr. Lancaster overall is a person [I go to] If I need a good laugh, I’ll go to him, If I need life advice, I’ll go to him. Dr. Delozier helped me with academics, staying focused, while also being myself being within school grounds. He helped me become more confident, a more rounded person,[and] gave me a good laugh. He was there when I was sad about something, if it was school related [or] not school related. Dr. Lancaster was more there as a friend, as a person who I can confide in, who I really trusted well.”

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

A: “I would have to say my sophomore year, when I went to state for [my] academic decathlon team, I think that was my most memorable year. [The] majority [of the team was the] senior class, I had a lot of friendships with because I knew them prior to Lewisville High School. I knew them in middle school and a couple of them I grew up with since I was a kid. When I joined and we were making the state teams, only three from each category can advance, and I advanced as the only sophomore on the team of seniors. I also just had a lot more friends at these other schools across Texas globally, we talked to each other on Instagram and everything.” 

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

A: “I will tell my freshman self, although grades are important, to just have fun. I will say, I feel like my freshman year I took it too seriously. I was more focused on trying to get the perfect score rather than trying to build relationships. Although, every year you might see the same people again and again, try to find a strong friend group from the beginning, I would say that’s what helps you a lot. I have to tell my freshman [self to] make clicks, go out [and]  go to all the school events, even if it seems a little boring, still go. [Also] do everything that you’re interested in, no matter what it is. It could be a very small club with a couple students in it, but if you’re passionate about it, there’s another person at that club passionate to so you just made a friend. Don’t take [grades] too seriously, because you still have three more years and just to breathe.”

Q: What are you most excited about regarding college?

A: “[I’m] excited for college, [I’m] working with this one professor. He teaches a primates class and he has a research lab that he oversees. The whole lab includes primates and studying how primates and acknowledge each other act and behave. In college, I’m really looking forward to all these little, small, unique labs,  little niche areas and categories to study. Honestly, [I’m excited to go] the school events and living in a new city where I’m not very fond of. I hope to become fond [of] and understand the new dynamic of a life where I don’t really have boundaries set by another person, but rather more of a liberal freedom. That’s what I’m looking forward to.”

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

A: “I hope to see myself graduating med school and starting [my own] residency. I hope to still be pursuing medicine or trying on the pathway to pursue medicine. So in 10 years, although I may not be a doctor yet, I hope I still be on the same pathway to becoming one.”

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

A: “I wish I went to more school events, football games, volleyball games [and] more school provided activities. I feel like a lot of those were just missed and not really well acknowledged or lived through. I’m trying my best to go to all the senior activities, but I still wish I could go back and do the sophomore, freshman [and] junior activities. I feel like if you try to cram everything your senior year, you’re not really getting the experience you would [so] just take it in.”