As graduation approaches, it’s time for seniors to pave their paths for the future. For senior Malea Herman, as she moves forward after graduating from The Greenhouse, she will attend Ohio University to study animation.
She explains that animation “is a passion for [her] because [she] really like[s] to create art and [she] think[s] it would be so cool to one day work on an animation team to animate cartoons.” To continue, she says, “I want to create fun stories with my art, and I like to imagine getting to create something somewhat like Phineas and Ferb.”
Coinciding with that, in 2034, Malea sees herself “working on an animation team for some cartoon show/movie.” She wants to live with a significant other in an apartment “in Seattle…and have a bunch of cats.”
Reminiscing on her time at Aurora, she says, “The staff member that impacted me the most was probably Mr. Kukarola. I had him in tenth grade, and I have him now in twelfth grade. He has always been so nice and understanding towards me when I have struggled. He is also a very good teacher.” Furthermore, throughout high school, Malea has collected memories she will hold with her for the rest of her life. Most significantly, her favorite memory is when she and Nadia Kindig “would hang out and watch Brittany Broski together.” She explains that she “always felt so happy and couldn't stop laughing” when they spent time together.
Graduating and leaving AHS is going to be a transition, and Malea says she is “excited to graduate, but [she is] nervous as well.” She explains, “A couple of months after graduation, I am going to turn 18, which is exciting, and I'll be able to get my nose pierced, but I also am scared about the responsibilities of being an adult.”
Moreover, Malea describes that a piece of home she will miss the most is her little sister: “I'm going to miss my little sister so much, and it’s going to be hard to be away from her and her goofiness.”
As Malea moves on from Aurora and is ready to take on Athens, she wants to “wish good luck to everyone in Aurora, especially my little sister Lily, who is in 4th grade.”
Additionally, she advises underclassmen “to get a job if you can; you get to meet new people, learn more skills, and build your confidence while also making some money.”
She leaves with this: "Maybe it's all gonna turn out alright, and I know that it's not, but I have to believe that it is." -Julien Baker
