Welcome to Senior Spotlight! Senior Spotlight will be posted once every week interviewing seniors here at Page High School. Advice, memories, and wisdom will be shared through these letters. If there are any seniors that you would like to see featured in next week’s story, fill out the document below:

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Lilly Gorman is a Senior here at Page High School. Throughout her high school experience, Gorman experienced everything. Being a student at Page for the past 4 years has taught her many valuable life lessons. Gorman will be graduating this year and attending UNCG in the fall. Read the following paragraphs to see what her high school experience looked like. 

What was your favorite moment in high school?

Gorman shared that her favorite high school moments occurred during her Civics class Freshman year. “This class all year was my favorite part of high school because I was in class with all my friends.”Studies have shown that having friends in your class leads to better grades and mental health. “Friends can often be seen as distractions to school, but research has found the academic benefits of learning with friends,” says KQED.org. Gorman also shared that this Civics class was enjoyable because she succeeded. A class that may come easier than other subjects may make it a more enjoyable class.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned in high school?

The knowledge in which you gain over the years that you are in high school is crazy! 62% of the knowledge that you learn in high school will help you in the real world. A lot of this knowledge is not gained by sitting in a classroom and taking tests, but more about the habits you build around PREPARING for tests. Gorman said that she learned to not procrastinate. “I learned this lesson pretty early on as a High School student. Preparing and staying organized is very important for a student.” Procrastination can cause a snowball effect. The snowball effect is when you continue to push things to the side, and finally, you’re hit with a giant “snowball” of work. This may also lead to a lot of work that hasn’t received the amount of time and attention that was necessary. So take Gorman’s advice- it may help you in the future! 

What is your favorite relationship you’ve made?

In high school, you can build relationships that will last a lifetime. Gorman shared that her favorite relationship she made in high school was with her best friend, Kayla Lowdermilk. “We’ve been through a lot together and I think that’s why we are so close,” she says. Studies show that HOW you spend your time with someone is incredibly important. “The more of your identity you draw from a group, even when you’re not around that group, the more likely you are to uphold those values,” says Amber Gaffney, a social psychologist from Humboldt State University. For example, you and your friend could choose to spend high school together skipping class, going to parties, and drinking. Or you and your friend could spend valuable time together studying, going shopping, or getting coffee! The way you choose to spend your time with someone is valuable.

What are your plans for after high school?

High school is a good chance to experiment with what you would possibly like to do once in college. Depending on the classes that you pick to take, many students even take college classes in high school. Gorman expressed how prepared she feels for college. “I feel prepared going into college. I’m super excited but honestly a little nervous. I’m going to UNCG, so I’m still going to be close to home which is good,” she shared. Being close to home is a really common factor that helps students choose the college they end up going to. After living with your parents for 18 years it can be hard to begin your adult life without the adults that raised you! 

What are you going to miss the most about your high school experience? 

Besides not having 7 back to back classes every day, having to get a hall pass every time you have to go to the bathroom, and taking the long way just so you don’t have to walk past that one girl who threw Gatorade at you at a football game, there are things that make high school such a fun experience. “I am going to miss not having a ton of responsibilities. The idea of adulting and having to make decisions is nerve-wracking,” says Gorman. The extreme increase in responsibilities is intimidating, but everyone has to start somewhere. 

Pictured: Lilly Gorman and her best friend Kayla Lowdermilk

As the end of the school year is right around the corner, please fill out Journalism’s Senior Spotlight Google Form to see your favorite soon-to-be graduates interviewed!

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