Student Central
Editor: Kandice Williams
Senior Spotlight
Seniors reminisce about high school experience
By Grace Corey
The Green & White Review has decided to recognize a few seniors each month for their accomplishments and experiences. These seniors are involved in many school activities and hold bright futures.
Lilliaunna Goodnight
Lilliaunna Goodnight is an especially active senior as she is involved in band, show choir, Art Club, and Drama Club. After high school, Goodnight plans to move to California and attend an art school. She says, "The best part of high school has been making those little connections. It’s been not feeling forced to be friends with people, but rather just knowing them and shooting them a smile in the halls."
Without connections through Mrs. Ollinger and the drama department, Goodnight would not have attended a drama school in New York this past summer.
She says she is excited for the extra time she will have this school year.
"I’m most looking forward to the time I’ll have to actually do other things outside of school now that I’m able to take classes I want that don’t have overwhelming amounts of homework."
Goodnight gives a piece of advice to underclassmen: "Keep your heads up and stand up for yourself. You don’t have to be rude, but you don’t have to take upperclassmen kicking you around either. Keep your eyes up; your time is coming."
"I won’t lie and say high school has been perfect [because] it hasn’t, and a lot of the time, it sucked. But I’m incredibly grateful for the good parts of it. I’ll never forget the late nights messing around in band, or the long days sweating out energy with show choir, the competitions, the shows drama put on. All of them were great experiences and as ready as I am to leave high school, I’ll miss those small things that I’ll be leaving behind."
Chandler Kelso
Chandler Kelso is a member of StuCo, Art Club, National Honor Society, National Art Honor Society, FBLA, and the golf team. He plans to attend college after high school.
Kelso says that confidence is key. "Be confident in who you are and don’t care what anyone else thinks because at the end of the day, what you think is what matters most."
He says the best part about high school was enjoying the experience. Kelso explains that he enjoyed being able to go to school and participate in different activities.
"High school has been a great time and will continue to be, but even though it sucks sometimes, I will never forget [the] memories that have been made here."
Jenna DeLay
Jenna DeLay is involved in The Squad, Interact, Bookclub, Mock Trial Team, National Art Honors Society, Student Council, and FBLA. She is the president of Art Club, captain of FCCLA, devotions leader for FCA, and is one of the executive chairs of the service committee for National Honors Society. She also plays volleyball and says she decided to join Drama Club this year.
After graduation, DeLay plans to attend Missouri State University and work towards earning an accounting degree. She intends to join Delta Sigma Pi–a coed professional business fraternity.
"One piece of advice that I have for underclassmen would be to try and create as many memories as you can. This can go with everything, but especially in highschool. Time flies by and you want to remember all of the good things. Join clubs and activities, get yourself involved, so that you can create everlasting memories of all the fun things you did. Some people may say they want to leave high school as soon as possible, but why not make it bearable by taking part in things you enjoy."
Delay explains that the best part of high school has been the bonds she has made with her peers, including students from other classes. "Of course I have friends within my grade, but I have made so many more connections through the clubs that I am in. I don’t think I would have been able to branch out to under, and upper, classmates without the help of my organizations."
"Remember that when you hit rock bottom, the only direction you can go is up. Everybody is going to fail in their lifetimes. Many of my failures have definitely happened in high school, but that should not discourage anyone from veering off the course of their aspiration. A lot of situations that happen to us, we cannot control. We just have to take a step back, smile, and find a way to step over the difficulty."
Students struggle with the back-to-school blues
"Even though school can feel like a job, it really is more of an
experience that we can learn and grow from." - Madalyn Cook
Returning to school can be exciting for several students for several different reasons, but not everyone is as ecstatic about coming back to school. A Green & White Review poll revealed how MVHS are responding to coming back to school after summer break. The poll says over 60% of students were looking forward to returning to school. But the remaining percentage of students were not as positive.
When asking the students how the return to school has affected them, many of them said that they have felt more stressed and exhausted since returning to school. The students say they have felt more mentally and even physically worn out from school. And many of them said they were not looking forward to returning to class and doing all the required work.
On the other hand many students also shared their excitement and what they were happy to do in school. Seeing their friends and socializing were the predominant advantages mentioned, followed closely by excitement for the various extracurriculars the school has to offer.
The students were asked to explain what makes school different from other activities they might be involved in (for example church or a job) , which brought in several notable responses.
For example, here is one from junior Emma Tobey: "Other activities you can advance your position/responsibilities. In high school, you are a student from start to finish."
Also, here is one from junior Keira Monroe: "Not only does it take up the time period that is specified, you're also expected to work outside that time period for studying and homework."
When the students were asked what they would like to see changed at MVHS a few said they want the students to be more involved in the school. For example, The Squad, which promotes extracurricular involvement and increases students' level of school spirit. One student also said attention for the fine arts like band, art could be improved. With all this in mind, it seems like a majority of the students are ready to get back into the swing of things. A good thing to keep in mind is that if you see one of your peers struggling, offer them some kindness. At the end of the day we all need just a bit of encouragement. So let's get out there and take on this school year, Mountaineers!