What year did you start Dance Exchange and why?
Rachel: I started Dance Exchange freshman year, and that was because I had danced throughout my childhood, and knowing that was an opportunity to start dancing also in high school was appealing to me so I decided to join that club.
What college are you going to and why ?
I am going to Middlesex College for two years to get my pre-reqs done and then I’m going to transfer to a different college that has my program. I want to go into diagnostic sonography, preferably so I can find the genders of babies. Ultrasound stuff. But I’m going to Middlesex specifically because it is cheaper and the easiest option and it’s closer.
Did you play any sports, what was the sport and why did you choose it ?
I played two sports during high school my freshman and sophomore year. I did spirit cheer and softball. I did those because I also used to cheer in my childhood and I wanted to come back to it.
Softball was something that I actually had never tried before, but I was just looking for something to do with my time, and I actually really enjoyed it, I made really good friends there, but I wasn’t too great. I mean I had never played it before so it was completely understandable, and that’s why I only lasted two years on it. Nonetheless, it was worth it and the friendships that came out of it was worth it.
What has been the most significant challenge/problem you have faced during your high schools years and how did you overcome them?
I’d say my biggest challenge through high school was letting my happiness and my behavior depend on those around me, whether someone was mad at me or not, or whether I had a certain friend in my life. If somebody was mad at me, I’d change my whole behavior, or I’d kinda let it determine my mood, and I acted in a way to please others. Through my whole high school career, that’s been something I’ve been focusing on to stray away from because that’s not going to work in real life and I need to learn to put myself first.
Who is your favorite teacher and why?
My favorite teacher is Mrs. Santana, she’s the fashion teacher at our school and I’ve had her for all four years. I’m in fashion four. She’s my favorite, specifically because she treats her students like actual people, and she actually enjoys her job and she shows it through the way she interacts with her students. And she’s easy to talk to. She’s very understanding, so she makes everybody who comes to her comfortable.
Is there something you regret not doing in your high school years ?
I regret not joining more clubs, or being as friendly to more people because after Covid I got social anxiety a little bit, so I wouldn’t really open myself up. But obviously as high school went on, I started putting myself more out there, and I wish I had done that sooner because I’ve could’ve made more friendships and learn how cool other people are outside of my little bubble.
People usually say that senior year is the year where you do less work and have more freedom. How true do you think this stigma is in accordance with your personal senior year experience ?
I do agree that you do less work. All of my classes are electives right now, so I agree with that statement, but also it’s better that way because the stress from having to figure out your future kinda equates to all the stress that you had from previous years. I mean, it’s not really easier, but the classes are easier from previous years, but is still the same amount of stress.
Is there anything like music, food or anything that motivates you or inspires you to be better for yourself or people you love ?
Specifically music that make me feel motivated is worship music. I grew up in the church and I wanna keep pursuing my relationship with God, but when times are hard, I silent worship to music and I feel like it calms me.
Who has been a role model for your life and why?
I’d say my mom is the biggest role model in my life because through my childhood, she would always compare me to her, and how personality wise, we are so similar. Exactly how I said before, she’s also a people pleaser, so she always tried to redirect me away from that, and she’s always looking out for me and doing what’s best for me, and that shows throughout how she treats me and my siblings.
