Zaven Nalbandian

                          Freshman Year                                                                   Senior Year

What is something you like about yourself?

“I am pretty outgoing. It is pretty easy for me to make new friends because I am not afraid to talk to strangers. It’s helped me get a good job because [employers] really value extroverted people.”

What was your favorite memory from freshman year?

“[The football team] was playing Parkway Central and we were losing by three or four points. They were marching down the field and they were on the 10-yard line. The quarterback tried to pass to his receiver on a quick slant, but I jumped the pass and intercepted it for a 40-yard return, eventually securing our win.”

How do you think you have grown maturity wise?

“I think achieving a work-life-school balance was something that I strove for, that is one of the ways I have grown. I didn’t know how to balance anything, and now I can manage all of these aspects of schoolwork and actually work.”

What would you tell your freshman self?

“Go with the flow. If you try to plan too much for the future, you will drive yourself crazy.”

What is your senior quote?

“You can lose money chasing women, but you can lose women chasing money.”

Collins Robinson

                          Freshman Year                                                                   Senior Year

What is something you like about yourself?

“I really like how I participate in so many things. I am a part of the music program and basketball program, being both a viola player and a varsity player. Also, I somehow manage to keep good grades in school. I appreciate how I can keep a balance in many facets of life.”

What was your favorite memory from freshman year?

“It during basketball season and we were playing Rockwood Summit. It was a close game and we were tied. Towards the end of the fourth quarter, I hit a buzzer beater to win us the game. I couldn’t believe it. My whole team ran to me and jumped for joy. It was unimaginable.”

How do you think you have grown maturity wise?

“Freshman year I came in goofy, I wasn’t mature at all. Now, I have an idea of who I want to be, and what to do to achieve this. I am even doing better emotionally [and] understanding more of who I am.”

What would you tell your freshman self?

“I would tell him to take chances. I remember I would play it so safe and stay within myself. Now, knowing how much taking a risk can benefit you, I wish I could’ve done more. Go out there and do stuff you might be afraid to do.”

What is your senior quote?

“The future is bright. Always keep an open mind.”

Hira Khan

                     Freshman Year                                                               Senior Year

What is something you like about yourself?

“I feel like I have a really strong ability to be friends with everyone. If there is ever a friend group that doesn’t connect, I feel like I can help connect them.”

What was your favorite memory from freshman year?

“Cross Country, that was a constant favorite thing. Having that team was great because it helped me to bond and communicate more often. I still keep in contact with my coaches and my friends from the sport.”

How do you think you have grown maturity wise?

“I think all the memories, good and bad, helped to make me grow to who I am today. Everyone has different experiences within their life whether its failures or successes. I have been discriminated and discredited for simply being a Muslim, but [this adversity] made me stronger and didn’t break me. I still have love for my faith and continue to learn about each day. These were bad memories but I don’t regret them because I wouldn’t be who I am today.”

What would you tell your freshman self?

“Try your best. When they tell you that the next few years matter, they really do. Have fun while you are in school, whether in your sports or school in general.”

What is your senior quote?

“Bad hair days? Never heard of her.”

Caleb Canatoy

                   Freshman Year                                                               Senior Year

What is something you like about yourself?

“I like the fact that I have diverse backgrounds. It makes me feel different in a good way. It gives me different perspectives outside from the American standpoint even though I am American.”

What was your favorite memory from freshman year?

“Homecoming. It was my first homecoming and I was so awkward. I didn’t know how to dance and I still don’t. It was just such a train-wreck. I broke my phone that day too. The whole homecoming was such a mess, but it was fun.“

How do you think you have grown maturity wise?

“I used to be very goofy and immature. After joining a sport, I learned to be more mature and a good influence for the underclassmen. It helps that I was involved in XC for the whole four years, and it definitely feels like I am more mature than I used to be.”

What would you tell your freshman self?

“Don’t try to fit in. Do your own thing and that’s the coolest thing. It’ll make you a lot happier in the long run.”

What is your senior quote?

“Pineapple belongs on pizza.”

Dani Fischer

                          Freshman Year                                                             Senior Year

What is something you like about yourself?

“I feel like I have a good sense of style. If I had to use one phrase to describe my style, it would be ‘Sad 90s Boi.’ I think that a lot of people wear whatever is comfortable, which is me on my gym days. On the days that I don’t, it is nice to try and put in the effort.”

What was your favorite memory from freshman year?

“I really enjoyed honors freshman science. I am not really a math or science person and I got into a class that was challenging to me. I had to put work in to do well in the class and the teacher was wonderful. It was a great segway for the rest of high school.”

How do you think you have grown maturity wise?

“I am a completely different person. Maturity wise, I do homework now. In terms of work ethic, I developed new interests like newspaper and guitar.

What would you tell your freshman self?

“I would tell my freshman self that I have to let change happen. I wanted everything to stay the same and hoped that nothing changed. Fortunately, the times that I changed the most were the best for me, even though I didn’t think so at that moment.”

What is your senior quote?

“When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too.”

Maryam Oyebamiji

                      Freshman Year                                                         Senior Year

What is something you like about yourself?

“I think I am pretty funny. I enjoy my humor. I like how I can make a joke out of everything. I am really sarcastic as well and I want to make everything fun.”

What was your favorite memory from freshman year?

“When I played basketball, I learned so many things. I played recreational basketball in eighth grade and I decided to take it more seriously. I tried out for the high school team and I barely made it. It was great because I learned more about patience and perseverance, which helped me balance my high school life.”

How do you think you have grown maturity wise?

“Honestly, I am less awkward. I don’t think I matured in a sense that I am a completely different person, but I’ve learned the hard way through high school, basketball and schoolwork wise, on how to do things with more responsibility.”

What would you tell your freshman self?

“I would tell my freshman self to not freak out over everything and be organized. I had a lot of trouble balancing sports with academics. So, I would tell my freshman self to chill out, ask your teachers for help and do your homework on time.”

What is your senior quote?

“Wearing hijab and AirPods makes high school so much more bearable.”