They are academic achievers, sports standouts, class leaders and sometimes all those and more in their high schools.
Here are their responses:
Hamilton High School seniors Peyton Davis and Lillianne Fangman:
What is a top concern for students in your grade and why?
Davis: “A top concern of students in my grade is planning for life after high school because there are unknowns and it is something we are going to have to figure out as we go.”
Fangman: “Having to decide what they want to pursue in the future and where they want to go to college because the decision about what to do after high school will set the tone for the rest of their lives and that can be a very stressful decision for students to make.”
Who has been the best positive influence on your life and why?
Davis: “The best positive influence on my life has been my dad, he has motivated me and kept me on track. I would not be the person I am today without him.”
Fangman: “My mom because even though we are too similar for our own good and bicker sometimes, she always supports me and does her best to provide me with anything I need, she pushes me to be the best I can and makes life enjoyable.”
What are you looking forward to this school year?
Davis: “This year I am looking forward to basketball season. It is my senior year and I want to go out with a great year.”
Fangman: “All of the senior events like senior sunrise, homecoming, prom, etc. I also look forward to cheering during Friday Night Lights and spending my last year of high school with all of my friends and making good high school memories.”
What are your plans beyond high school?
Davis: “After high school I plan to go to college and pursue a degree and career in civil engineering.”
Fangman: “I plan to apply to as many schools as possible and see where I get accepted and then I will make a decision about what school I think would be best fit for me and what career path I could see myself in.
What advice do you have for freshmen?
Davis: “My advice for freshmen is to enjoy every day. Even though school can get challenging, it goes fast and they are some of the best times of your life.”
Fangman: “Time really does go a lot faster than you would think, so attend as many school events as possible and make the best out of every single day, don’t waste time worrying about little things that won’t matter in the long run, make good memories that will last.”
Middletown High School seniors Sarah Daniels and Chandler Shields:
What is a top concern for students in your grade and why?
Daniels: “The top concern for the students in my grade is life after high school and trying to figure out the pathways that will be best for us.”
Shields: “A lot of people freshman year did not put forth the effort from the start. And had some struggle catching up or and having to take a lot of classes the past couple of years because of missing credits.”
Who has been the best positive influence on your life and why?
Daniels: “My mother and father have been the best influences in my life. They’ve shown me what it means to have determination, confidence, and an overall well-rounded life.”
Shields: “My mother. She has inspired me to wake up every day and work hard. Seeing her work hard her whole life to provide for me every day has fueled me to give her the same in return when I’m able to.”
What are you looking forward to this school year?
Daniels: “All the memories I will make during my last year of high school. And continuing to develop my relationship with my teachers and administrators.”
Shields: “Graduating, finally being able to finish school and start a new chapter of life in young adulthood.”
What are your plans beyond high school?
Daniels: “I plan to go to college and major in either biosciences or the medical field.”
Shields: “Go to college, graduate and get a degree hopefully in some sort of business format that’ll help me later on in life.”
What advice do you have for freshmen?
Daniels: “Be involved academically and socially.”
Shields: “Do your work early so you don’t have to worry about it later. Because if you wait, you put yourself in a very bad situation and cause a lot of stress and emotion.”
Butler Tech senior Phurin Lehman:
What is a top concern for students in your grade and why?
“It’s definitely stressful when it comes to our short time span of our senior year. You are not only working on (early) college credit classes but you are also trying to figure where you want to go in life after high school.”
Who has been the best positive influence on your life and why?
“The people that are successful in my life and being around a group of successful people and being able to learn from them. My adult mentors have treated me as an adult and not just like a student.”
What are you looking forward to this school year?
“Getting the most out of high school and learning and growing myself. Being able to keep up with my classes and knowing what I want to do after high school.”
What are your plans beyond high school?
“Getting enrolled in college and getting an associate degree in business and management and then a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering.”
What advice do you have for freshmen?
“Set up yourself with a group of people who are able to lift you up and you can learn from them instead of being with a group that won’t take you as far.”
Lakota East High School, Caden Powels:
What is a top concern for students in your grade and why?
“I would say a top concern is making sure you graduate. Getting to class on time, having absolute focus on college and staying on top of your grades. The main thing to take away is to have fun and enjoy our last year of high school.”
Who has been the best positive influence on your life and why?
“My parents have always been the ones supporting me. Academics, personality, extracurriculars, they’ve been through it all. A lot of the times, school would get rough, but they never wavered, and that strengthens me. I’m proud of where I come from.”
What are you looking forward to this school year?
“Seeing how it all ends out, honestly. I’ve grown to be a positive light in my school, attending leadership meetings and changing the school environment. I look forward to seeing where this last year will take me, and what that senior feeling is really all about.”
What are your plans beyond high school?
“I plan to attend a four-year college and graduate with a business degree. Whatever else God has for me will be alright.”
What advice do you have for freshmen?
“Respect your teachers, have fun, join the club, ask questions, make friends, and most importantly, be an example for your school.”
Fairfield High School senior Rojita Rai:
What is a top concern for students in your grade and why?
“Many of my peers have been immensely concerned about their future. Despite years of schooling and exploration, they feel that they haven’t been able to identify their passion and are lost when choosing a career path. This has led to an overall buildup of stress and anxiety for some students.”
Who has been the best positive influence on your life and why?
“The best positive influence on my life has been my parents. I feel very blessed to have such supportive and understanding parents that guide me and have made me the best version of myself. There’s no doubt that without them I wouldn’t be who I am today.”
What are you looking forward to this school year?
“I am excited to take part in many high school festivities for the last time ever. While also forming lasting connections with my peers and teachers/school staff that have been supporting me for the past four years. I really want to make this year the best one yet!”
What are your plans beyond high school?
“I am planning to attend a four year institution to receive an undergraduate degree in either biology or biochemistry. Then I hope to further my education at a dental school to become a pediatric dentist.”
What advice do you have for freshmen?
“My advice for any student, especially freshman, would be to believe in the importance of education. Instead of viewing school as a chore, they should view it as an opportunity that will help build their future. It is also crucial to start exploring and finding your passion at this time.”
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