A high school senior’s typical day probably includes parties, sports, and thinking about the opposite sex. However, I was not a typical high school senior. I had no desire to go partying, shopping, or do anything else other teen-agers would find exciting. I loved extra-curricular work. Not only did it keep me occupied, but it has lead me to a more well-rounded life. I have always been involved, but never to the degree that I was my senior year. I have always been a good kid. My parents taught me well. As a lonely underclassman, I was very shy and quiet, but when I reached upperclassmen status, I decided to take charge. My involvement last year has taught me responsibility, leadership, and organizational skills.
Unlike most of my generation, I was burdened with heavy responsibilities. Not just responsibilities like graduating high school and working 15 hours a week. I juggled being president of Key Club, vice president of Spanish Honorary, secretary of National Honor Society, treasurer of Interact, captain of the varsity tennis team, and maintaining a 4.0+ grade point average, among other things. Now, I’m not saying that I’m Superwoman. I’m just saying that I was one busy little girl.
A typical day would start around 5:45 A.M. I had probably gotten six hours of sleep or less that night because I was usually up late typing reports or worrying about the next Key Club activity. After taking a quick shower and grabbing some food on the run, I was heading toward wonderful Cabell Midland High School. While walking through the concourse, I would hear the normal, useless conversations like “Oh gosh, can you believe she did that?” and “Those shoes are so cute!” Although I found this amusing, I kept walking because I knew I had more important things to do, like attend class. First I went to boring English where the teacher would constantly treat us as if we had the reading comprehension of a five-year-old. My television class was my favorite. While most of the class watched Spongebob Squarepants or played “Link 4” on the computer, I would go to Mr. Jenkins’ room. Mr. Jenkins was the hardest working teacher I know and was also our Key Club adviser. I would spend countless hours in his room making phone calls, filling out reports, and setting up our next projects.
After a short break for lunch was show choir. Our group, the Singsations, spent every day singing and dancing our hearts out. We would spend all period swing dancing and sweating to songs like “Down at Poco Loco’s.” After an hour and a half of jumping and jiving, I was exhausted. Although it was grueling, show choir was something I loved very much because I have been singing since I can remember. I was honored to be part of this group, and even more excited to be a soloist. I always seemed to worm my way out of going to my last two classes. Instead, I would go to Mr. Jenkins’ room for more Key Club work.
Every Thursday after school, I would host the weekly Key Club meeting. For 30 minutes we would discuss the week’s activities, sign up for projects, and think of fundraising ideas. The Cabell Midland Key Club was amazing. We made such an impact on our school, community, and state. We participated in projects to benefit the elderly and homeless, and raised money for children. We completed over 4,000 hours of community service and raised over $6,000 for charities such as Children’s Miracle Network, Saint Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, and the September 11th Fund. Because we were so busy, my senior year revolved around Key Club. The friends that I made and the joy I got by helping others made this club so special.
After Key Club, I hurriedly changed clothes and raced to the tennis courts lined beside the school. The team would either have practice for two hours or a match. Practices consisted of five minute stretching, 20 minutes of running or the occasional game of “Suicide,” and agility drills. After conditioning we would play practice matches. Practices were long for me because not only did I play singles, I also excelled in doubles. All the work paid off because I was state runner up in both.
Following tennis and a quick dinner, I would drive to the Ponderosa Steakhouse on Route 60 for the Kiwanis meeting. The East Huntington Kiwanis Club sponsored the Key Club. As President, it was my duty to attend the meetings. Both the Key Club and Kiwanis Club would coordinate joint projects such as the veteran’s dinner and the Pancake Festival. I have and will continue to attend every Kiwanis meeting I can. The gentlemen are great and so wonderful to talk to. They are willing to share a story about the good old days, a joke, or a song.
Finally, by 8:30, I would be lying on my bed writing essays, studying for tests, or translating Spanish. In a few hours, I would nestle underneath my warm comforter and start the whole process over again. Although my week was hectic, it was nothing compared to my weekends!
I realize the importance of being well-rounded, and although some people consider what I do remarkable, it is nothing extraordinary. Because of my extra-curricular involvement, I think I have become a better person. Everything I have done has broadened my horizons, opened me up to more opportunities, and made me a stronger leader. I am definitely a “go-getter” and hopefully because of my attitude and determination now, I will be successful in the future.