• How are you involved at school?

I am involved in Tennis, Kangaco Theater, Choir, Rooted, Rally Kid, and Roo Crew.

• What advice would you offer your younger self?

The advice I would offer my younger self would be to stay true to yourself, stay true to Our Heavenly Father, and stay true to those around you.

• What does Roo Nation mean to you?

To me, Roo Nation has shown me that this community is more than just a school, it’s a home. Everyone in this school is here for one another and offers a safe space. Being a part of Roo Nation is something that I will definitely cherish while I’m still here.

• Do you have a favorite memory?

My favorite memory came from the first pep rally this year. Standing there with my friends, Aris and Elizabeth, we could feel Roo Pride all around us. Feeling everyone’s presence in the gym at first was frightening, we didn’t know how they would react. Through the nerves, the stress, and the sweating, we went out there with confidence and did what we do best, show off our Roo Pride. Thankfully the crowd matched our energy, and now every pep rally is the highlight of my week.

• Who is your biggest inspiration?

My father was the greatest influencer in my life because he showed me power, leadership, and reliability. He never stops working hard and offering us his support, and is always there when I need him. He leads by example – never fails to honor his commitments, is never agitated and treats everyone nicely. His charity has illuminated the importance of giving up one’s own convenience for others. I am taking with me the virtues of giving, waiting, and leading that my father has instilled in me when I go on in life

• What are you looking forward to this school year?

Something I’m looking forward to this school year is graduation. For starters, I’m excited to say I’m officially done with high school. I’m ready to be out on my own and go to college. But on the other hand, there’s so many memories, clubs, and most importantly, underclassmen friends that I’m just not ready to leave behind. Graduation will be a day full of mixed emotions for me, but I can’t wait for that day to come.

• What are your plans after graduation?

My plans after graduation are still undecided. Part of me wants to major in theater and minor in sports management, but part of me wants to flip those and major in sports management. Whatever I choose I know it will be the right decision for me. I also plan to study these things at either Texas A&M or LSU. Those have been my options since I started middle school and they will always be my only options.

• Favorite quote(s)?

My favorite quote comes from a musical called Hadestown. In this show, Andre De Shields who plays Hermes quotes “Cause here’s the thing, to know how it ends and still begin to sing it again, as if it might turn out this time.” This line speaks to me on a very deep level. It shows us that the silent, strong hope that the future is still open to us. It’s the memory of the story’s end that makes it hard to give up, but there is still beauty in the process of seeing and feeling it again with one’s heart and mind being open. It refers to the quality of being strong and it is sometimes really hard to create meaning in moments that are not going to change for us. Hope is the power to start afresh when everything else says no, and this sometimes is the only reason why the trip is worth having.