High school is more than just a schedule of classes, exams and assignments. Looking back, I see growth and resilience. Freshman year, I walked through the doors unsure of who I was and where I fit in. I struggled to find my place, but over time I found my voice, built strong friendships, and learned to face challenges head on.
It wasn’t always easy. I became interested in engineering and joined the DTEP magnet program, which grew my interest even more. Being one of the few girls in the class was intimidating, but it helped me build confidence and strength.
When it comes to academics, I’ve grown in ways I didn’t expect. I pushed myself in subjects that I was once scared of, and I found passion in areas that I didn’t know I would enjoy. I learned to manage my time better, speak for myself, and stay focused, even when life outside of school was tough.
There were late nights, moments of doubt, and times I just didn’t want to show up. One of my biggest struggles was computer science. It felt like the teacher was speaking another language. But I kept trying, asked for help, and gave it my best. That was a big place for growth for me: I was taught discipline, patience, and the importance of asking for help, even though it may be hard.
Outside of the classrooms, Skyline gave me a chance to be involved, meet new people and make a lot of beautiful memories. Whether it was through clubs, groups, or just spending time with friends, I built something that has helped shape who I am. One of the things I’m proud of is helping start the “Hearts of Humans” club in my junior year. The “Hearts of Humans” worked to give back, raising money, writing letters for special holidays, making bracelets for hospitals, and more.
Being part of Sky Squad, our peer mediation group, also opened big doors for me and changed how I see things. I didn’t know much about it at first, but I still applied. During the second trimester of senior year, I noticed some of my mentees needed extra support. Because of the language barrier between students and teachers, it was hard for them to get the extra support they needed. So I started sitting in their English learning class to support them. It reminded me of how I felt when I first started school, not understanding what anyone was saying and feeling scared.
As I’m getting ready to take the next big step in my life, I carry with me all of the lessons and all of the experiences that have prepared me for the future. I remind myself that high school is not just about grades or tests, but about learning who I am, who I want to be and knowing what I’m actually capable of. I’m leaving with a lot of gratitude for the people who helped me get here, and with the sense of readiness to face whatever comes next.
