Maud High School Senior Perspective
High school. Four formative years in my life where I learned many valuable lessons. I attended a small 2A school where I was given many opportunities to grow, thrive, and even fail at times. I acquired many life skills and characteristics in high school. I was involved in as many extracurricular activities as possible while taking many dual credit and advanced-level courses. I am proud to have been my class’s salutatorian and kept all A’s throughout high school. My high school experience was memorable and helped me become who I am today.
Freshman year started out great. I was doing well in all my classes, I enjoyed all the extracurriculars I was involved in, and I was just thrilled with my first year of high school. For me, there was none of the typical “freshman” things happening you’d see in movies and TV shows. Then as we all know, I got hit with the news that we would be taking a “two-week quarantine” from school, which turned into the rest of my year being remote learning from home. Freshman year being cut short was not expected at all. I learned adapt to anything life throws at me.
Sophomore year was stressful and different. Masks, google meet calls for quarantines, and all new rules to learn and follow. Although there were many changes in school, I tried to make the best of it. I focused on what I could control: excel in the classroom. I found the best ways to study and be a successful student. I took two math classes during my sophomore year, and in doing so, I found someone I consider a role model in my life. At the end of sophomore year, when we were allowed not to wear masks anymore, it felt like things were returning to “normal.” I was grateful for that feeling but appreciative of my experience and what it taught me— to focus on what I can and let everything else work itself out.
Junior year was one of the best and worst years of my life. Just when I thought things would be easier and normal again, junior year began. I loaded my plate with as many dual credit classes as possible, all while playing three varsity sports and being in various other organizations at school, such as yearbook, theater, and on the prom committee, to name a few. The year was stressful; I felt overwhelmed and stretched thin. Many tears were shed during my junior year. I had to learn how to manage my time the hard way and that my mental health was extremely important. At the end of the year, I was relieved that it was over and excited for my last year of high school.
Senior year was an absolute roller coaster of emotions: so many ups and downs and even complete loops. At the beginning of my senior year, I thought it would be easy and stress-free. I was very wrong. Volleyball was disappointing, and basketball was so rewarding. I chose not to play softball my senior year after playing my whole life so I could “end on a good note” with basketball in my athletic career. My classes were more challenging than ever. Although my grades did not show it, I struggled during the first semester of my senior year. I was also having trouble making decisions for my future. I didn’t have a plan and felt like things were spiraling out of control. Then I made a decision that I never saw coming but just made sense to me. I decided to enlist in the Army National Guard. I decided to attend the University of Central Arkansas and join the ROTC program. I plan to study pre-veterinary medicine, hoping to become a veterinarian someday. At the end of the year, I felt so accomplished. My GPA for my senior year was 4.10. I was given many awards for my achievements throughout high school. Senior year taught me decision-making skills and how to work through my problems. I am grateful to have had such a truly wonderful high school experience.
