Four Years of Risk and Reward
Your high school years may be the most exciting ones you spend in school. However, when dealing with honors and advanced placement classes, sports, clubs, and after school activities, “exciting” might not be the term most students would use.
It really all depends on how you look at undertaking these challenges. Senior Kerri Predovich is an outstanding example of the positive outlook a high school student should have when taking challenges. Whether it be enrolling in tough classes or participating in clubs, school events and activities, Predovich keeps a positive attitude.
She explained, “My personal definition of a challenge is something that is out of your comfort zone and will stretch and test your limits.” She has been challenging herself by going out of her comfort zone and testing her limits starting from her freshman year at East Leyden all the way to her senior year.
Undeniably, the most crucial part of high school is of course, education. No matter which classes you are enrolled in, it is important to leave high school with new information. Predovich aspires to possess knowledge in subjects ranging from AP Euro to Symphonic Band. By dedicating herself to schoolwork, Predovich has undertaken the challenge of good time management due to being “so busy with school activities and AP and Honors classes along with out of school commitment, and I will only get more busy after high school.”
For all four years of high school, Predovich has also risked the pressures of the stage. When she first began engaging in school plays she admits that it did make her feel uncomfortable. She now feels in her zone rather than outside of her comfort zone when performing. When you find something that benefits you and makes you feel good, you will overcome any obstacle to be able to do it. Even the biggest obstacle you can imagine is no match for Kerri. She has juggled hours of honors and AP work and various clubs and activities, while consistently showing great effort at her roles in theatre.
Even outside of school, Predovich makes it a point to gain knowledge from her experiences, such as tackling personal challenges. She references her personal challenges positively, saying the “personal challenges I’ve faced and overcome have helped me be able to relate to other people better, be more understanding, and less judgmental.” The motivation to succeed and grow as a person allowed Predovich to take on new challenges and make the most out of her high school years. She strives to spread positivity and inspire her peers to go outside of their comfort zone and challenge themselves to do everything in their power to take the most knowledge and memories out of their high school years as they possibly can!