It is nearing the end of their time at West for our seniors. 35 West seniors were surveyed and here is their advice and the memories they will be leaving with.
What advice do you have for freshmen attending West next year?
Try to join as many things as you can to find what you like. Don’t underestimate how fun it can be being a part of a club or a team.- Ariel Okwei
Get involved. Enjoy life. Don’t spend too much time worrying about the future. -Jaime Rivera
Do your work and get involved. -Cassie Kollman
Do your homework.
Stay on top of your work. _ Ryan Samoska
Don’t be afraid to get involved! Through sports and activities, you can find people with similar interests. Who knows? They might become the group you stay with all throughout high school. – Oliver Fennessy
It moves too fast. Just enjoy high school. -Aidan Ferraro
Try new things. Get out of your comfort zone.
Just to be yourself and find a good group to be friends with. Keep those important to you close. – Madison Baranski
Find time to have fun. There’s more to Lincoln-Way West than school work. – Cameron Kasper
My advice is to always be open to new experiences and to try to be involved. – Ariana Palella
Try new sports and activities! – Zoey Wallock
Make friends and focus on the important work! – Peyton Dobush
Join lots of clubs. Don’t care what other people think.
Stay true to yourself. Don’t change to try to fit in with others.
Just do your homework. Anything is better than a zero percent. -Mariah Scalia
Have fun. You only do high school once. – Noah Konopack
Have fun and get involved in some sort of sport or activity. -Blake Shanahan
Give yourself free time to try new things. Evert Alvarado
Get involved!! – Delaney Stream
Don’t think too far ahead yet, relax, take it all in, and just go one step at a time! – Alaina Hollendoner
Don’t take any moment for granted and get involved! Attend every game, dance, or event because you will regret if you don’t! That’s what makes west so fun! – Amber Graves
Honestly, high school is going to be hard. Trust me. But know that everything eventually falls into place and will be okay. Also, enjoy high school. Don’t be afraid to get involved and to have fun.
Get involved! High school is what you make it, and you get out what you put in. – Leah Young
Make sure to do your ultimate best during class.
It’s easy if u do your work. – Justin Samoska
I just have to say that West is an amazing place to be. Learn to do the best of your abilities and enjoy West as much as you can. –Nicholas Picha
Just be yourself. If people don’t like you, don’t let it bother you.
Enjoy high school as much as you can because before you know it graduation will be right around the corner.
Freshmen should study hard if they want to be successful. – Roman Alek Davila
Just do your best! – Miles Adler
Good luck!
What advice do you have for seniors planning for college, trade school, jobs, or their futures?
| Do what you like and try to make it profitable. – Ariel Okwei
Don’t forget to take a break, enjoy life, and spend time with friends. – Jaimie Rivera Do you. Focus on what you’re doing and don’t get distracted from your goals. – Kareem Shaltouni Count down the days and it’ll make the year fly. – Cassie Kollman Work hard. Go trades. – Luke Trusty Don’t be afraid to change your major. – Ryan Samoska Do your research on what you want to do, and make sure you know what you’re doing. – Matthew Hoffman If you don’t know what you’re doing, that’s okay! Neither did we! Don’t be afraid to ask for help from teachers, parents, etc! – Oliver Fennessy Make sure to trust your gut, don’t try to balance multiple choices. – Aidan Ferraro Plan early. Have back up plans. Choose a career you see yourself being happy in. -Madison Baranski Follow your dreams; you can do whatever it is you want. – Cameron Kasper Don’t be afraid to do something that’s out of your comfort zone!!! – Ariana Palella For colleges, if there is something small you don’t like about a school, don’t settle. The perfect fit is out there for you! -Zoey Wallock Don’t stress and plan ahead. – Peyton Dobush Don’t procrastinate. Start early. Don’t wait till last minute to figure out your next steps. Stay on top of scholarships and save up money throughout the year if you work. -Mariah Scalia Go have fun. You’re entering the peak of your life. – Noah Konopack Whatever you decide to do, do it with your full attention and full effort. -Blake Shanahan Apply to scholarships early and talk to everyone in college. -Evert Alvarado Trust the process and do what makes you happy. -Delaney Stream Space everything out! It can get stressful to sit down and look at everything at once. But, know that you can do it and you are capable! -Alaina Hollendoner Please give yourself time. You don’t need to stress yourself out and have everything figured out right away. Everyone’s decision journey looks different and you will find a path that works for you. -Amber Graves It’s okay to not know what you are doing yet. There is no time limit, take your time, take classes you may like for your career, and it will come to you. It’s okay to not know exactly what you want to do. Take it one step at a time. -Leah Young Work hard and try your best. Keep an open mind for jobs if 1 doesn’t work out. Don’t go to college unless you have a plan. Trade school is the way. -Justn Samoska I want to say good luck to all of them and I hope that they do well to obtain their dream jobs. -Nicholas Picha School is tough. Stay young. Find a job or trade that you’ll enjoy. -Casey Zamazal You should join the transition program because it is lots of fun and you get to work out more in the community and get more money. -Roman Alek Davila Don’t forget to take a break, enjoy life, and spend time with friends. – Jaimie Rivera Do you. Focus on what you’re doing and don’t get distracted from your goals. – Kareem Shaltouni |
What was your favorite class in high school?
| Forensics
PE 2 Personal Finance (2) Welding (4) American Originals 3 Choir History Math Earth and Physical Science Sociology (2) Foods (3) Anatomy Medical (2) Photography Woodshop Peer Helper Advisory Criminology AP Physics Physics Psychology 2 Forensics |
What are you looking forward to in your future?
Most students are looking forward to college, making money, working, traveling, freedom, meeting new people, getting a house, having a family, traveling, and moving to a new place. But here are some of the unique responses from West seniors.
Getting the job I want and living as much as I can- traveling the world, doing as much as I can while I’m still young. -Jaime Rivera
Continuing my soccer career and my education. -Kareem Shaltouni
Becoming a Pipefitter. -Matthew Hoffman
Performing on bigger stages in college. -Oliver Fennessy
Becoming a nurse and dancing on my college dance team. -Peyton Dobush
Learning more and creating new experiences and memories. -Blake Shanahan
Studying abroad, to see the world! -Alaina Hollendoner
I’m looking forward to college and so many new experiences. I can’t wait to see how my friends will succeed in their college careers. – Amber Graves
Starting over and leaving drama and negative occurences in the past.
I am looking forward to attending the Transition Program and seeing my friends again. -Nicholas Picha
I am looking forward to getting a job of graphic designing at Craig Bachman Imports in the future. -Roman Alek Davila
What was your favorite memory of West?
Making friends.
Competing in Homecoming Olympics with my friends
Going on a field trip with the MSA group
Pep rallies
When I went to the welding competition and when they announced the winners. Of course, most of them were West students.
Welding
Every performance I’ve been a part of at Lincoln-West West is one big memory I’m forever going to cherish .
All the homecoming Olympics or football games
Prom
Going to the 3rd round of the playoffs in football.
My involvement my senior year and the new friends I made this year.
Sophomore year polo season
Doing crew for the musicals with my friends
Homecoming in the commons.
My favorite memories at West were all the times spent with the peer helpers.
Winning sectional semis at west for volleyball.
Senior night for both football and track. There’s nothing crazy about it, but it felt nice feeling appreciated
Disney Trip
Pep Assemblies
Football games are the best part of the school year because of how much school pride the community has. I also enjoyed every dance.
Homecoming week and all of its festivities!!
Catching a West shirt during the first day of my senior year
Graduation
My favorite memory at West was joining Best Buddies and meeting so many new people.
My favorite memory of West was the Best Buddies talent show.
The class that I like and my friends.
What was your favorite sport or activity at West?
Volleyball (3)
Soccer (2)
Welding (2)
Lacrosse
Bowling (2)
Chess
Performing Arts
Football (2)
Football Games (4)
Student Council
Water Polo
Theater
Environmental Action Club
Softball
Welcome Crew
Track
Free Friday Volleyball
Cheer
Wrestling
Dance
Special Games (3)
Dance Team (2)
Art Club
Basketball
Gym
Time with Friends
Is there anything else you would like to share?
| “It gets better. I promise.” -Oliver Fennessy |
| “We are the best graduating year yet!” -Madison Baranski |
| “Never tell yourself it’s too late.” -Cameron Kasper |
| “High school is what you make it!! If you decide for it to be a negative experience it will be and if you choose for it to be positive it will!” -Ariana Palella |
| “Stay organized and have fun. Don’t take these last few years for granted because they go by fast. ❤️” -Peyton Dobush |
| I had so much fun going to Lincoln-Way West and getting good grades in all my classes. -Roman Alek Davila |
| “I’m ready to go out there and create my new adventure .” -Blake Shanahan |
| “West has the best school spirit and I’m so glad I’ve gotten to experience that these past four years! “ -Leah Young |
| “I just have to say that I hope everyone has a great time at West, has a great learning experience, and make new friends along the way.” -Nicholas Picha
I hope everyone has a great summer. -Casey Zamazal
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