Finally, there comes a day when we must see our cherished friends graduate. All seniors we part ways with this year have their very own story, with their chapter in high school somehow crafted together in the very short time span of 4 years! One that we’ve been building up to for our entire life, through kindergarten to our very first step on Hidden Valley High School’s campus. Allow me to share one of these personalized adventures from someone near and dear to me, a wonderful girl known as Laney Havens (12).
I had the fortunate opportunity to share 2 years in marching band with Laney. I recall Laney as one of the most enthusiastic members of the band, with an exceptional ability to hype up any football game we went to. However, the football games were not her favorite part of band. She saw the most memorable parts of her time in marching band to be Bandcamp, the all-band assessments like Star City Classic, and most importantly, the time she spent there with friends.
“I think something that stands out the most to me is going and competing with the band and watching other bands. Those are times when I’m really surrounded by something I’m passionate about. When you have the whole day dedicated to just that.” Laney Havens says.
In her 4 years of high school, she has found many things to be passionate about! She describes the importance of that, how taking opportunities and developing yourself are some of the most important parts of high school. Laney participated in the Science Olympiad, a program dedicated to the thorough research of selected topics, for 3 years. Furthermore, she completed a 4-week BioLife conservation camp, which worked to maintain the foliage, ecosystem, and outdoor recreation of Roanoke. Now graduating, Laney will be attending James Madison University studying bio-medical technology.
She shares her journey of how she got here, stating how she always knew she would be a scientist. She discovered her fascination for biological sciences in documentaries on animals and nature. She hopes to dedicate her career to genetics or laboratory research. Whales, in particular, really inspired her to investigate deeper on the biological processes of many animals.
“I had an obsession with whales. I wanted to know everything about them. I just loved learning about animals like that. As I got older, I got more interested in the biological side. Like, how do our muscle structures work? How do our brains work? How do octopi change color?” Laney says, on topic of her passion for biology.
When reflecting on her high school experience, Laney tells how hard it will be to part with all that she knows. That familiarity, where she has had her friends, peers, and environment for her entire life, will be the hardest thing to let go of, she states. Now that she has to move on, one might wonder, what will Laney take away from her experience in high school? Laney advises to younger students to remember their individuality and to not get caught up in the picture of what others think of you.
She says her path to individuality was greatly influenced by her teachers, of which she said many encouraged her throughout. Her favorite teacher, however, was Mrs. Sprenger. She said Mrs. Sprenger is kind, amazing, and always encouraged her the most.
Finally, after discussing her future, Laney gives one last piece of advice.
“Be yourself and find friends who love you for who you are. Keep those friends close, because those friends are the ones that will always be there for you.” Laney concludes.
