As the school year rolls along, the senior class is feeling the stress of college applications. Despite the stress, seniors are still enjoying getting food during free periods and early outs, embracing the extra time. For October’s senior snapshot, we’ll take a look at best friends Sophia Schlueter and Angelina McLellan, taking a snapshot of their life and sharing their story with all.
Senior Sophia Schlueter has been at Brownell Talbot since kindergarten. She said, “I like the small class sizes and close-knit communities where everyone knows you.” On campus, Sophia is the president of the National Arts Honor Society and is on the volleyball team. When asked what her favorite memories have been, she shared, “I love creating bonds with people who are not just in my friend group, especially in different grades. I love when my volleyball teammates say hi to me in the hall or when I get to know different people than who I would normally talk to.”
Sophia’s favorite classes in high school have been her art classes: “I’ve taken drawing, painting, and pottery. It’s usually my time to wind down and take a break from other classes during the day.” Sophia’s favorite grades have been junior year and senior year so far. She said, “It seems more laid back and I’m not stressing over as many assignments, and classes have been easier for the most part. Also, I’m not worried about the new high school environment and expectations like I did in 9th and 10th grades.”
When thinking about senior year, Sophia is feeling a mix of emotions: “I am nervous to leave my house with my normal routine and find new friends, but I am excited to have the independence on what I want to do during the day and study what makes me happy.” Sophia is excited for graduation and the end of year activities that celebrate the seniors: “It will be fun since we all come together as a grade. However, those will also be the saddest parts because I’m leaving friends I’ve known for basically 13 years.”
When thinking about the future, Sophia’s top school is the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, which she has already been admitted to. She shared, “I want to stay close to family but also want to have the dorm college experience. My next steps are applying to the graphic design major and eventually completing the housing application.”
Sophia’s advice for underclassmen was an important one: “Take in all the fun memories you will make throughout high school and don’t let bad friendships, relationships, school work, and activities stress you out too much, take time to do what you love.”
Senior Angelina McLellan has been at BT since kindergarten and shared her favorite part about the school: “The community and the friends I’ve made.” On campus, Ani is in band and pep band, and she shared her best memory: “Going to the UNO Jazz Fest and getting a one (the highest score).” When asked what her favorite class of high school has been, Ani said, “Advanced Algebra with Trig. There were only 6 of us, and it was a pretty laid back class. Since we were so small, it was easy to joke around with each other while we worked.” She thinks 12th grade will be her favorite. She shared, “Even though I feel a lot more stressed than I ever have before, I think I’m in a better headspace than previous years, plus more freedom to spend with friends.”
Ani said that the college application has been fairly stressful: “I think my list is way too long. I’ll be really happy when it’s over.”
When thinking about graduation, Ani said, “I’m nervous and a little sad to leave behind all of my friends and family, but I’m also pretty excited to start college, make new friends, see new places, and learn about the things I’m actually interested in.” Ani is most excited for the senior trip, assuming the class goes somewhere cool: “It’ll be nice to be away from home with friends.”
Ani’s advice for underclassmen is an important one to have a valuable high school experience: “Do a class because you want to and are interested in it, not because you think it will look good on a college resume.”
Ani and Sophia have navigated through the school years as best friends. They met on Known, Inspired, Challenged Day a few days before the first day of kindergarten. Ani said, “Sophie has always been there for me through everything (ups, downs, phases) and has always supported me and kept me grounded. I think I’d be a very different person and at a very different stage in my life without her. Sophia shared, “Ani and I have been friends for 13 years. I’m glad I have had a supporting, reliable, best friend all of these years because some people don’t get to have that. I’m so grateful to have someone to lean on and always be there and someone who relates so much to me that when high school is getting overwhelming they are my comfort.”
When asked what their favorite memories together have been, Ani said, “I don’t think there’s any huge moment in school; it’s honestly all of the little moments. When we were younger we used to get in trouble for always talking to each other, and sometimes our teachers would call us by each other’s name, which looking back is kinda funny.” Sophia said a similar thing: “My favorite memories are all the little times Ani and I were talking and laughing about something random and we are just in our own world because we get each other so well.”
As Ani and Sophia take on senior year together, their friendship is a constant reminder of the support and encouragement they have for each other.
