Iris Smith

Iris Smith is a 2025 senior at AHS. She’s planning on attending Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, this upcoming fall. 

For Smith, going to college leads to her going for her dreams: “This is an interest because I want to be successful and have a comfortable life, I also feel as if I go to college, I can really become whatever I want.”

When it comes to graduation, Smith expresses not only the exciting side of graduation, but also the bittersweet feeling that comes with it: “I am ready to graduate, and I can’t wait to leave. But at the same time, it is going to be sad to move away from my friends and family. College leads to meeting new people and having new opportunities, so it’s a new journey in my life.” 

When looking back on her time at AHS, Smith recalls lots of memories she’s made over the last four years. She shares that her favorite memory is from her freshman year: “My favorite memory would probably be really my whole experience my freshman year with my friends. Everything was so fun and we didn’t have a care in the world.” 

Smith also states that Mr. Pinzone has been an impactful teacher for her: “I would say one staff member that has most impacted me has to be Mr. Pinzone, because his class was always one I could look forward to, it was always so fun and carefree. He is really probably the funniest teacher I’ve ever had. You’re always lucky if he’s your junior year English teacher!” 

Smith has a lot of friends who are underclassmen, some of them being her best friends. She wants underclassmen to know this piece of advice while they go through the next few years at AHS: “The best advice I’ve received is from my dad, who would always say, ‘Try your best to have fun, and enjoy yourself.’” 

As Smith graduates, her final message to AHS reflects on living your life the way you want: “My final message as I graduate is to not always get too caught up in grades or getting into college, because honestly that’s not all what high school is about, just live your life and have fun.” 

In ten years, Smith hopes to see herself with family and friends by her side, working hard in a career she loves. 

Her senior quote comes from Dr. Seuss: “Why fit in when you were born to stand out?”

Written by: Maddie Mink // All photos submitted by Iris Smith