It is March of senior year, time goes by quickly. What are you most looking forward to these last few months at Ewing High School?
What I am most looking forward to as our senior year quickly begins to wrap up, has to be my final spring track season, prom, and graduation. I have so many goals I have yet to accomplish, and many of them coincide with my spring track season. The job’s not quite finished yet!
I am also extremely excited for prom! Ever since I was a little girl, I have always had two rules, both my prom and wedding had to be perfect! Finally, I am most excited to be able to end this long journey with some of my closest friends, and cherish memories that will forever hold a special place in my heart.
What do you want people to know about Ewing High School that they might not know?
Something that I admire about Ewing High and would like people to know, is how profound our sense of comradery is. We have much pride and show fierce competitiveness, while continuing to support one another. I think another thing that is unique about our school, is the endless amount of possibility, whether it involves getting involved, or creating new things.
What was or is your favorite class at Ewing High School and why?
Though there are many, one of my favorite classes had to be Peer Leadership. Peer Leadership is a class like no other. Not only did we have to apply for this class, but we got the luxury of being on the other end of this class when we were freshmen. This class meant a lot to me when I was a freshman, so being able to now be the leader and give back to the freshman this year was extremely rewarding.
Not only did this class allow us to be creative, but it gave us the opportunity to guide the freshman and give back to others throughout our community.
Who is your favorite teacher, coach or music director and why?
There are so many teachers, coaches and more who have played a key role in my high school career. I’d have to say that Coach Monty (jumping coach) and Coach Pedersen (soccer coach) have had some of the greatest impacts on me. They believed and continue to believe in me even when I don’t believe in myself.
Going into high school, Coach Pedersen was the first coach/teacher that I had the opportunity to meet and create a bond with. She saw things in me that I never thought I had inside me, and she not only cared for me when it came to soccer, but above all, she cared about my well-being. This has helped me learn new things and become a better person both on and off the field.
Coach Monty has been there for me more than I ever could have imagined. Coach Monty believed that I could be a great jumper, and to my surprise, the triple jump became my main event. He pushed me to limits I didn’t always think I could reach, and when I put myself down, he made sure to lift me up twice as much. As we always like to say, he pushed me to become a “diamond”.
I am truly grateful for both Coach Pedersen and Coach Monty.
Can you tell us a little bit about the college course you are taking this semester?
For my last semester of high school, I decided to take a college course through Mercer County Community College entitled “Mass Media”. Since I want to become a publicist, a major part of the job is understanding the world of media and how it influences our society. I think that being able to have the opportunity to get a jumpstart on my future is something that I appreciate very much. I am both able to learn, as well as put myself in a better position to grow closer to my future goals.
What activities do you participate in school?
I have participated in many different activities throughout high school. I am the Captain of the Girls Varsity Soccer team, a leader in Spring Track and Field, and the Basketball Manager for our EHS Girls Basketball team. I am also a member of our school's National Honor Society and was also a Peer Leader this past semester. As far as music goes, I was a part of our school's marching band, and was the senior drum major, as well as a member of the high school's jazz band. Finally, I am a member of the pit orchestra for the musical.
What activities do you participate in outside of school?
Outside of school, I find it essential to take some time for myself and debrief from my chaotic workload. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, and doing various activities that are stress-free. In the summer, I work for Mercer Street Friends as a camp counselor for elementary school kids.
What awards or acknowledgements have you received in school or outside of school?
I was this year's homecoming queen. During the fall of my senior year, I was Ewing High School’s recipient of the Mercer 33 award. I was also selected for the CVC’s second team as a forward, for being one of the leading offensive players, as well as being the leading Varsity soccer scorer for all four years. I was the sectional champion for triple jump my junior year (and hope to get it this year)! Recently, I have been nominated for the 2023 National Girls and Women in Sports day (NAGWS).
What accomplishments are you most proud of?
I am proud of many things. For starters, I'm proud that I have had all A‘s throughout my high school career, which has landed me above a 4.0 GPA consistently. I am also extremely proud to have been nominated for the 2023 National Girls and Women in Sports day (NAGWS). For me, it stands as a culmination of events for my high school career and serves as recognition for all of my hard work through athletics.
What is your favorite memory of high school to date?
My favorite memory of high school has to be something from my sports seasons! There are two that instantly come to mind. One of them being my freshman year during one of our soccer games when I got the ball on a breakaway and the goalie came out of her box and completely rammed into my legs causing me to do a front flip. Not only do I remember Coach Pedersen nearly earning a yellow card for saying not-so friendly words, but I also remember Machaya (senior) running to my side when I could barely breathe, telling Coach, “Syd’s good” even though I very much wasn’t.
Another one of my favorite memories of high school has to be when I got the opportunity to not only go to Penn Relays during my junior year, but to run in the 4x100 meter relay as well.
Who or what has impacted your life in a positive way?
To say that my mother has been one of the major influences in my life, would be an understatement! Besides the fact that she gave me life, she has done nothing but support me and be there for me through the good, the bad, and the ugly. She continues to teach me life lessons that I will forever use, and she stands as the embodiment of love, resilience, and selflessness. For that, I can never truly be thankful enough.
How do you define success?
What does success mean to me? Success to me means that I can reach the goals I set for myself despite the struggles and stress involved to get to that point. Looking at the situations that could have derailed me during my high school years, I was determined to push through and accomplish my goals. Being happy and at peace with my decisions and enjoying this chapter of life is success to me.
What are your plans after you graduate from Ewing High School?
After high school, I hope to attend a big university, specifically somewhere on the west coast or the south-east. I plan to major in Communications and Public relations, where I will then be able to become a publicist.
Where do you see yourself in ten years from now?
I’d have to say I’m a dreamer, so in ten years I see myself with a college bachelor’s degree and maybe even a Master’s degree. I see myself as a distinguished publicist working for a lucrative firm with dreams of establishing my own firm. I also see myself living somewhere fairly warm, with a husky and my bird Simon.
What is your favorite quote or book?
“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.”- Maya Angelou
What do you want people to remember about you after you graduate from high school?
I would like people to remember me for my versatility. I have participated in many different things during my time at Ewing High, and I have been able to connect and form bonds with a variety of students. As an African American female student, I hope that I can inspire other students who look like me, to strive for more and not to settle for mediocrity.
