Grade: Senior 

School Activities: Theatre, Color Guard and ACES 

Favorite School Subject: English 

Sweet or Salty Snacks: Sweet 

Dream Destination: Peru 

Hot Take: “I like anchovies on pizza.”  

What’s your favorite school activity? 

“I would probably say color guard because I have a leadership role. I’m a captain and it’s been a lot of fun.” 

Tell me about your experience as a captain 

“It’s really challenging. I’ve had to work with two other girls my age to be in charge of 20 teenage girls to help get us organized, get us to the places we need to be in and try to keep tensions down. It’s been very, very rewarding but definitely very difficult.” 

In theatre, are you behind the scenes or on stage? 

“I’m mostly an actor. I’ve been in pretty much every show we’ve ever done. I played Auntie Em in the Wizard of Oz, Mrs. Boyle in the Mousetrap, the wardrobe in Beauty and the Beast. I’ve done lots of ensemble and more behind the scenes work too.” 

How has being on stage helped you with other aspects of your life? 

“It’s definitely made me more confident. Having to go on stage and put yourself out there in front of a whole paying audience of people who want to see you do well, it takes a lot of bravery, a lot of confidence and a lot of hard work behind the scenes. I’ve developed a lot as a public speaker and interacting with people because I’ve had to gain that confidence in the behind the scenes work of rehearsing my lines, and then going on stage and presenting myself to people.” 

You were recently selected as a National Merit Finalist, what was your reaction when you first found out? 

“It was really exciting to hear. It came in the mail and when I opened up the letter, I was freaking out. My dad said, ‘Well I kind of figured it’d be coming because I had seen on Facebook some other people had gotten it, and I’ll be darned if you didn’t get it too,’ so it was very, very exciting.” 

Tell me about your experience in Washington D.C. this past summer 

“It was really educational. I had the chance to go with the youth tour which is kids from all across Missouri, and also kids from all across the United States. I got to interact with people who are from totally different swaths of life, while experiencing all of this history and engagement in the political sphere. I learned more about how our country was founded and how it operates now. It was really fascinating.” 

With all these experiences you’ve had, what have been some of the biggest lessons or takeaways you have had? 

“The biggest thing I have learned is that it is always worth it to put yourself out there. I would not have anticipated that I would be a captain in color guard or have a number of roles in theatre my freshman year if you had asked me that. But, I had friends and family encouraging me to just put myself out there and try things I wouldn’t have done. It’s been really rewarding to learn more that way.” 

Are you hoping to return to the state-level after medaling second in English at the ACES state tournament last year? 

“I’m hoping to. I know that since COVID the competition has really ramped up over time, so we’ll see if I make it but I’m very hopeful.” 

What are your plans after graduation? 

“I’m planning on going to Mizzou to get a degree in peace studies, which is like international studies but it’s specifically focusing on social justice. With this, I’m thinking about going into law in the future.” 

What would be your dream job? 

“Definitely some kind of advocacy. I’m not 100% sure where that’s going to end up but no matter what, I want to be helping people.”