Lauren Rochelle

After one and a half years “out” of school, the long awaited, in-person senior year came to a start. Expecting a clear path of nothingness all year – I look back in amazement at how much I’ve accomplished, how much I’ve grown and how much I desire to grow in the near future.

Rather than the whole year consisting of turning in assignment after assignment, it was filled with so much excitement, joy and surprise outside of academics.

As the starting libero on the volleyball team, it was my job to be vocal and learn how to work as a team. I didn’t know it then, but this would aid me for the rest of my senior year, on and off the court. Although I was extremely dedicated to my life as an athlete, my time before practices everyday was spent running from classroom to classroom, leading my many club meetings and conversing with my academic and athletic advisors.

Senior year was when I learned much about my character – what I liked and what I didn’t like. I figured out that I liked being busy and organized and that when I got behind it was hard to catch up. I learned my strengths and my weaknesses. I learned that it is OK to ask for help. I learned that my teachers and administrators do want the best for me. And I learned that it is important to focus on your mental health above anything else. 

After the never-ending cycle of school days, my endless senior year has come to an end. A year I will never forget, a year where I learned my true self.