As the 2023-2024 school year is coming to an end, it only seems right to recognize some of the awesome members of our graduating class: Shae Elle will attend Virginia Tech in the Fall and major in Psychology. When asked about her high school experience, she was ready to share her thoughts.

Shae has been involved in many clubs, teams, and programs during her time at Hidden Valley. She was a member of the yearbook and photography clubs, among many others. She was also a part of the prestigious Titan 12, and a captain of the state-champion varsity volleyball team. “One of my fondest memories from my 4 years here was my last volleyball game. It was such a bittersweet moment, but it couldn’t have ended better than a state championship win” (Elle 12).

She also shared the teachers who helped guide her through her past four years. “This is such a hard question…I have encountered so many great teachers during my time here. I think that Mrs. Sprenger is definitely one of the kindest and most knowledgeable teachers here, but I also could not have survived my senior year without Miss. Pressley. They are both so willing to help with any issue, school related or not.”

With such an action-packed high school experience, Shae has had a regret. The only regret she had was “Letting people’s voices have space in [her] head…and wish[ing] [she] had not allowed them to take up any of those vital memories.”

Her advice to younger students just starting their high school years, “Put yourself out there. Involve yourself in as many extracurriculars, relationships, and conversations as you can. This is how you can better find yourself, and the people that accept you as you are.”

Shae is excited to attend VT in the Fall, and we are all looking forward to the great things she will do with her life!