Favorite school subject: I loved English and Health Science. I’ve always loved reading, and I have always been fascinated with mental and physical health, so the Health Science classes came pretty easy to me.

One of my greatest academic achievements: I graduated Magna Cum Laude from my high school.

What I love most about music/singing: I love l getting lost in music. I have been into music since the day I was born, and everyone could tell. My dad said he would put songs on while he was working. I’d be playing in my little playpen and just start laughing with every song. Once I could stand, I would dance around, and once I could talk, I would be singing. Music has always been my biggest outlet and my greatest passion. Through the roughest parts of my life and dealing with mental health issues, music and God were always the only constants that made me feel safe.

Awards and achievements:

• A/B Honor Roll K-12
• Magna Cum Laude
• Presidental Achievement Award
• Edmond Amateis Foundation Scholarship, via the Education Foundation of Lake County
• SEU President’s Scholarship
• SEU First Gen Scholarship
• 2025 Stetson Honor Choir, Lake County All-County Chorus, Disney’s Candlelight Processional Choir, LMHS Choir 4-year award, LMHS AVID 3-year award
• 2023/2024 LMHS Color Guard Captain
• 2022 FFCC Winter Guard State Championship
• 2022 Disney’s Candlelight Processional Choir

Clubs: I did LMHS color guard for three years and I did LMHS Choir for four years

Hobbies: I love to sing, work out, do anything artistic, dance and be out on any body of water

As a Sunday School teacher: Through my life my faith has always been the one thing that has truly kept me alive. My faith would shake sometimes but it was always there, and I wanted to help other kids grow in their faith and understand that they are not alone and that there is someone who truly is always there for them and loves them even when they may feel alone. I wanted to leave a good impact on the next generation and teach them how to walk in their faith daily, which is something that has started to fade in today’s generation.

Future plans: I’ll be attending Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida to study physical therapy and kinesiology. My goal is to become a physical therapist and specialize in young adult athletes.

A person I admire is: Kristen Pautenius, aka “Mrs. P.”, has been a big influence in my life. She is one of the Avid teachers at LMHS and she is truly like a mother to her students. You could ask any of her students about her and I don’t think they could have anything bad to say about her. She isn’t just brilliant at teaching Avid and college readiness, but she is also there to teach you about anything school or life related. She was such a safe place for me at school and I could go to her for help with anything. She has a way of helping you, but she makes you work for it, so you learn in the process. She has truly helped me so much through high school, not only academically and making the classroom so much fun, but also in her faith and genuine love for all the students that walk into her room. 

Three words that describe me: Caring. Honest. Ambitious.

One thing in the world I wish I could change: I wish I could change the mental health game. There are so many people that struggle with mental health but don’t feel like anyone understands them or they are too scared to try to get help. So many people struggle with challenges from depression to anxiety to insecurities and so many that don’t feel seen or heard or feel understood, and I just want everyone to know and feel like they are seen and loved and worthy of life and love, especially teens.

Favorite food: I love and would never say no to a good steak.

Top song/artist on your playlist: In the name of Jesus by JWLKRS Worship and Maverick City Worship, which is all about God’s amazing grace. It talks about that despite all the things that we may go through or do, we aren’t alone, and God is always with us and gave his son so that we could live and be saved. It is a good reminder that we are never alone.

Something people may not know about me is: I have a creative business I started in high school to help me grow my artistic abilities, share my talent with others and help with high school and college expenses to further my education. This business is called “Right Path Creative.” I create bracelets, paint denim and paint canvases. The name was chosen because my business is a faith-based business to help show others the right path to the cross through art.

Best advice to your younger self: You’re gonna go through a lot. You’re gonna face a lot of challenges but just remember that no matter what you go through or what happens, you are worthy and loved and enough. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks of you besides God. Live the best you can to glorify and honor the Lord and try every day to honor the sacrifices that were made to be saved, forgiven and eternally loved.

Best advice to others: Just keeping being yourself. Do what you know is right and fight like crazy for what you know you deserve. Every life matters and everyone deserves to be loved. So, sit with the kid who people may bully. Listen to both sides of the story. Listen to understand, not just to fight back, love everyone the way you want to be loved and stand up for what you know is right.

Photos: Nicole Hamel