Seniors Archives • St. Luke's School

Cherishing the Moments: 2025 Basketball Senior Night

Megan McDonough — Tue, 28 Jan 2025 23:51:43 +0000

2025 Basketball Senior Night.

W
hat does it mean to play your last game on St. Luke’s home court? Well for me it was everything I have ever dreamed of.

Having attended St. Luke’s Episcopal School since kindergarten I have experienced a multitude of senior nights. But it wasn't until January 6th as the horn blew to end the last quarter that it hit me, how fast it all went by.

All my life I have participated in athletics and as I ended my last game on my home court, I realized just how important sports are to me. As they called my name to walk across the court, I looked around the gym at all my closest friends, I finally understood what it meant to be a part of the St. Luke’s family. In the bleachers, there were not just my classmates, but my closest friends, not just my teachers, but my greatest supporters, and on the court was not just my team, but my closest family.

Words cannot begin to describe the instant gratitude I felt for all the warm souls surrounding me and I would not be here without each and every one of them. I know it may seem like a sappy cliche, but the best advice I can give any underclassmen is to appreciate every moment truly. I know the practices full of running seem horrible, but I would give anything to go back and run it one more time. Just for another game with my team, another huddle with my family, and even getting chewed out by my coach one more time. The emotion St. Luke’s athletics has brought into my life is unmeasurable and I will be forever grateful.

St. Luke's athletics have shaped me into the person I have become today. Each sport is so different, but all of my coaches have taught me one thing. Athletics is bigger than a win or a loss, it's about how you conduct yourself through it. As I walked across the court for the last time, I was overcome with memories of my season.

This moment made me truly appreciate the type of coach that Coach Hill has been for me. She has taught me strength, gratitude, selflessness, and courage. Coach Hill has brought out the best in me and I know she has always seen it even when I didn’t. She has been there for me when I didn’t know I needed her and pushed me and my teammates to be the best versions of ourselves, not for our sake, but for our team. I will forever be grateful for the opportunity to play under such a passionate coach and I hope more people get to experience the way she changed my life.

Throughout my final sport at St. Luke, I found a deeper appreciation for my teammates. These girls and I have been to War together, from no-ball practices to learning a team cheer, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. They are who I try for and who I play for, they have taught me passion outside of myself. That is the most precious life lesson to me, fight for someone else and not just for you. Specifically, the younger classmen are who I find the most love for. Although there are grades in between us, they have become my best friends on and off the court.

That's what St. Luke’s athletics have done for me, it has provided me with an ever-growing family. From the outside, our team may look like a regular, run-of-the-mill basketball team, but deep down these girls have become the most important people in my life. They orchestrated the most thoughtful senior night for me, from balloons to silly strings. They knew my favorite songs, candies, and bible verses. This ceremony was everything to me, but the appreciation I felt from my teammates was so much more. I know that this next step in life is going to be terrifying for me, but I have so much faith in these girls that I’m not scared. They are stronger than they think, braver than they believe, and smarter than they know.

So as I finish up this last season, I hope to see you all in the stands supporting us and the rest of St. Luke’s athletics. Try everything you can while you still have time, because it will be over in a blink of an eye. Find deeper appreciation for the moments you do have and don’t dwell on the moments you have lost. God has provided you with the most amazing opportunities, don't let them go to waste. Love your team, your classmates, your coaches, and your teachers because you will never find a closer bond anywhere else besides St. Luke’s.

Go Wildcats!

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The Journey to College

Arianna Ori — Wed, 11 Dec 2024 21:16:05 +0000

A Journey to College.

A
pplying to college can be an overwhelming and daunting process, but the guidance and support I received from St. Luke's Episcopal School made all the difference. Applying to college is the main card to the future for students to advance their education and careers and the beginning of my college application process was not my senior year. It began with good grades, participation in school clubs, and leading a healthy lifestyle back when I was at St. Luke’s Lower School. I have been putting everything together all through my life to create a well-rounded person to impress the admissions committee. From the very first steps of researching potential schools and programs that best suit my interests and career goals to devising a personal essay with a strong feature on my unique abilities and viewpoints, each stage of my application process was highly elaborate as it required not only a lot of time and effort but also thorough planning.

Start the Journey Early

I started working on applying to college in the 2nd semester of my sophomore year, and learned every single piece so far such as: getting my school’s college counselor to write me a recommendation letter, sending my transcripts to the colleges I was applying to, and while attempting to have a better academic record I would meet all the tight deadlines despite the pressure to rush the course. While the college application may have been a long and slightly difficult process, with the help of my counselors and the preparation I conducted over the summer and past years, I was able to drive myself to apply to 8 colleges in the same month that college applications were first released. The college application was a process of significant growth that required my peers and me to deeply reflect upon our dreams and showcase the best of ourselves outside of high school.

Take a Literal Journey

An aspect that solidified my college list and where I was going to apply was all of the different college tours that I went on as they helped me get a feel of different college campuses’ atmospheres and get a feel of what I would get myself into when I graduate high school. My top 3 favorite tours were from the University of Notre Dame, Auburn University, and The University of Alabama in Birmingham.

My Top 3

Taking a college tour through the campus of Notre Dame was a magical experience that lets incoming students take part in the history and rich essence of this well-known institution. As I set my feet on the scenic field, my attention was immediately taken up by the reaching spires of the white Basilica of the Heart of Jesus. While walking the quads, I felt the friendship and spirit of the students who were dressed in the university's gold and blue. From the state-of-the-art research labs of the Fitzpatrick Hall of Engineering to the patriotic atmosphere of the glamourous football stadium, the Notre Dame tour was a good mix of academic excellence, extracurricular passions, and community pride that has been a characteristic of the university for many years. At every corner, I was awed by the university's combination of honor for the past and joy for the future. When the tour was over, it was clear to me why Notre Dame is so venerated as one of the most prestigious and transformative college experiences in the U.S.

The tour of Auburn University was very interactive. The student ambassadors gave a tour with enthusiasm while presenting insight into several of the newest facilities, from cutting-edge engineering labs to the huge performing arts center that hosted world-famous musicians and speakers. While school is in session, tours are allowed to sit in on a sample lecture to get a taste of how the teaching methods fostered dynamic discussions and active learning. Unfortunately, I did not get this experience because I toured during Thanksgiving Break. Between the dining halls, modern fitness center, and student clubs and organizations, I realized that Auburn nurtures a dynamic, engaged, and diverse community that gives students endless opportunities for personal and intellectual growth.

As I toured the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), the whole experience was fun and enlightening. The tall academic buildings lend an impressive backdrop that hints at the vast facilities that are available for the education of students. My tour guides carried me throughout their research labs, inventive learning spaces, and medical amenities that give UAB a strong position as a leading research educator of healthcare, engineering, and sciences. Yet, the campus experience extended far beyond the campus. During my visit, I also learned what's available in terms of student life. The dynamic in the latest recreational centers is tied to multiple types of organizations and clubs, therefore catering to all interests and passions. All along, I was entertained and accompanied by student ambassadors who were enthusiastic about taking me on the tour. They were able to share personal stories that helped me visualize many of the UAB experiences.

Seek Wisdom on the Journey

I reached out to a former St. Luke’s alumni, Kevin Ori, about his college experience and how St. Luke’s helped him get to where he is today. “I won’t lie, applying to college was a very long, stressful, and annoying process. Between rewriting my personal statement repeatedly, completing the supplemental essays of various colleges, and waiting for decisions to be released, I was constantly stressed throughout my senior year. With that being said, I am not a great writer in the slightest. I also made the entire process harder on myself than it needed to be. When I got my results back, I was accepted by 3 schools: Alabama, Auburn, and UAB. I was waitlisted at a few other schools; however, I didn’t feel like going through the hassle of waiting and chose to attend UAB. My end goal is to become a dentist, and so I believed UAB provided the best options to explore the field of science further as well as the opportunity to connect directly with people at the UAB School of Dentistry. Even though everything felt like a mess at the moment, I can confidently say that everything worked itself out, and I am where I needed to be.”

Concluding Advice:

Start early, take the ACT early - ask how the college is different.

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Class of 2025 Senior Privilege

Shelby Stevens — Wed, 02 Oct 2024 15:31:29 +0000

Celebrating Senior Privileges with the Class of 2025.

T
he annual Senior Privilege Ceremony was held in the Auditorium on St. Luke’s Episcopal School’s University Campus on Friday, September 13, 2024. This day marks a significant milestone that the Class of 2025 looks forward to each year. All forty-four members of our senior class were proudly seated on the stage, wearing our new white senior t-shirts, facing the eager student body, faculty, and parents in attendance.

This ceremony officially presented us with our senior privileges. These privileges allow us to leave campus during our lunch period to grab a meal nearby, with the understanding that we must return in a timely manner for our next class. Seniors with a study hall during the seventh period can even leave school early. Additionally, we have access to the Senior room during any free period, a space to hangout and relax that is reserved exclusively for seniors. Once a month, senior parents collaborate to serve lunch for our entire senior class as another special treat.

During the ceremony, we were honored to hear from our guest speaker, Edmond G. Naman, a Circuit Judge for the Mobile County Juvenile Court. He delivered a powerful speech warning us us of the dangers and consequences of abusing the privileges we were about to receive. Judge Naman shared a personal story from his childhood that inspired his journey to become a judge. He served as an assistant district attorney for about 12 years. He told us more stories and touched on many cases that he had overseen in his career. It became evident that he had a passion for helping young people get back on their feet. In his conclusion, he reminded us to show gratitude to our community and our families who have cared and sacrificed a great deal to invest in our education.

Mrs. Alicia Matthews also addressed our class, sharing heartfelt insights about our new role on campus as leaders. She encouraged us to guide underclassmen in making positive decisions and to strive for our goals while holding each other accountable. Mrs. Matthews inspired us to leave a lasting legacy at St. Luke’s. After her speech, each member of the Class of 2025 received a key chain with our own initials personally engraved on the back as a token of remembrance.

After the ceremony, we were finally granted the privilege every student anticipates: leaving assembly first. Once we exited the auditorium, a reception awaited us and our parents, complete with decorated tables and delicious refreshments.

Everywhere I looked everyone was eating and laughing along with their friends, and I felt proud of the Class of 2025 because we have made it so far. After all these long and stressful years, we have finally made it to our final year. Receiving our senior privileges felt like a reward for all of our efforts that we have put into this school over the years. I truly believe that these privileges will bring us closer together and unite us as a class throughout this final year.

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2024 Homecoming Week

Megan McDonough — Mon, 16 Sep 2024 15:04:22 +0000

HOCO Traditions.

H
omecoming Week is here and there are hundreds of people who work behind the scenes to make it all possible! Specifically, St. Luke’s very own Student Government takes the task of Homecoming day and preparations by horns and dives right in starting in early July. The members of the Student Government began planning this ongoing tradition amid their summer break. They developed an outline for themes, venues, games, and more! This year, the Senior members of the Student Government have made it their mission to create more of an involved student body, including the Wildcats down at the lower campus.

I’m really glad that SGA was able to be more involved this year. I think that all of SGA was very committed to figuring out the themes and we were able to get a lot of student feedback. I hope that the success SGA had with the planning of homecoming week will continue and I look forward to working with the SGA and the rest of the student body this year.
Gavin Leege,SGA President

Another way our Student Government has become embedded into the development of our spectacular homecoming week was through marketing and selling the homecoming T-shirts. The head of the homecoming committee, Diane Swearingen, has been working hand in hand with our Student Government to help market and fund our homecoming dance. They collaborated to develop a theme and design for the dance and T-shirts. Since the T-shirts served as one of the homecoming committees' main sources of funds for the dance, sales needed to be through the roof. For the first time, Homecoming T-shirts were being sold exclusively online, resulting in an obstacle for promoting sales on the Japonica Campus. Realizing the importance of these sales, the Student government took action, volunteering their own lunch breaks to design and create advertising posters for not only the University Campus but also the Japonica Campus. With the assistance of these devoted students, they were able to sell over three hundred T-shirts, within the last week of the polls.

The SGA has been very welcoming with all the new people and makes sure to not leave anyone out with the ideas and the fundraisers. It has been fun getting to know everyone…and what it takes to put all the events together for Homecoming.
Kenlee Hamilton, Freshman SGA Secretary/Treasurer

On the last day of Homecoming week, all of these Students' hard work finally pays off. This Friday will be filled with immense school spirit, laughter, and a school-wide competition. The Student Government has developed an activity-filled schedule for each student on the upper campus. From relay races to the highly anticipated Homecoming Pep Rally, no one will be bored. There will be an option for every student to be active and find joy on this celebratory day. There will be the continuation of our school, teacher versus senior student volleyball game, which is never without a little laughter. But most exciting is the action-packed powderpuff game.

Powderpuff is one of the most exciting events on homecoming day. It brings out the competitive tendencies between the Junior and Senior girls and provides a humorous halftime show performed by the junior and senior boys. Being a part of the group who has worked diligently to develop this Homecoming day, has made me appreciate everyone who works behind the scenes.
William McDonough, Senior SGA Secretary/Treasurer

We are so thankful to every person who has helped and supported the St. Luke’s community throughout the development of our very own unique homecoming experience. There are so many faculty, parents, and staff who go unnoticed for their dedication and sacrifice to make homecoming a truly memorable experience. The Wildcat family is unlike any other and we can never express our gratitude for you all. We hope to see you all dressed up in your wildcat fashion this Friday on our very on field. Go Wildcats!

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Senior Year, 2025

Megan McDonough — Fri, 30 Aug 2024 17:47:00 +0000

Senior Season 2025.

L
ook Out... It’s Senior Season!! The class of 2025 has been stepping forward to embark upon their newest adventure, Senior Year! As the new rising royalty of the campus, they are working diligently to fill the large shoes of the previous classes. Starting the 2025 senior season strong, they have self-organized and come together to live out the senior year aspirations of their younger selves. Embarking on the many different St. Luke’s traditions developed by the senior classes who have come before them and leaving their mark on the Wildcat timeline.

The seniors at St. Luke’s have been and will continue to be held near and dear to our hearts. This forty-four-student class has been able to mature and create strong bonds as they take the next steps of their lives together. Many of our students have been able to grow up together. Some since Mother’s Day Out and some joining us just last year. Nonetheless, each one of them has left a permanent mark on our school. The emotions are strong as we watch the young children who used to push each other on the swings apply to college and advance into adulthood. Although this class may end up scattered all across the country, they know that they will always have a family waiting for them back at St. Luke’s.

One of our school's favorite traditions of senior season originated only a few years ago. The unveiling of the painted senior parking spots has become a major highlight at the beginning of the school year for all the students. Over the summer, the senior class is called to design and paint their parking spot. They are allowed to embrace their own creativity and unique personalities. They were able to turn tape and paint into show-stopping pieces of art. Walking around the parking lot and witnessing the vast variations of designs shows the unique qualities and character that make up our senior class. One of the fan-favorite parking spots is Abe Elshoura’s artistic display of his Egyptian heritage.

Almost hidden by the shade of the large oak tree resting near the top of the parking lot, Abe’s spot ensnares the attention of every person who wanders into its gaze. The detailed eagle and bright colors of the flag of his homeland create an emotional and nostalgic aura, which demands appreciation.

Another one of St. Luke's more common senior traditions is the Senior Sunrise. The whole class gathered on an agreed early morning and enjoyed each other's company as they breathed in the last moments of their summer. They bask in the ambiance of the beautiful sunrise over the calm Dauphin Island waves. Arianna Ori recounts her experience at Senior sunrise as, “...As the sun rose, that's when it officially hit me that I had finished rising and I was officially a senior. I was at the top, just like the sun.” Providing a perfect moment to step into their final year at St. Luke’s. This tradition holds a special place in many seniors' hearts as it marks the beginning of the end.

It felt like we were all freshmen all over again and it was just us against the world.
Madisen Gabel, Class of 2025

It represents how this grade will arise into the responsibilities as the leaders of the campus. They spent the morning reminiscing on the past adventures and memories of students who have been attending St. Luke’s all of their lives. They spend the rest of their afternoon together, creating new memories while they design their Senior Crowns for their “Last First Day of High School.” Andrew Thomas, who has been a student at St. Luke’s since Pre-K Three describes his first day of senior year as, “.. (It) truly helped me encompass the idea that I’m a senior now. I couldn’t even comprehend how fast time had gone by and how my high school days were coming to an end. Spending all my time at St. Luke’s has made me cherish everyone around me along with the memories I’ve made.”

In the spring, after their last day of senior year, the soon-to-be graduated class will reconvene on the St. Luke’s football field to watch the sunset over their beloved alma mater for the last time. Symbolizing the end of their longest and final journey as St. Luke’s students and marking the beginnings of their lives as the newest St. Luke’s alumni.

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12th Grade Summer HW Update

aabel — Wed, 26 Jun 2024 17:25:56 +0000

12th graders in the class of 2025, see a new summer homework assignment added for Government and AP Government.

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2024 Senior Wildcats Honored

Megan McDonough — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 17:50:19 +0000

W
hat does it mean to be a High School Senior Athlete? At St. Luke’s, playing in a final season, the final home game is personal. On Senior Night, the environment of the gym is ecstatic. Everyone in the stands is there to support Wildcats Basketball. As people enter, they are greeted with decorations, cheering, and energy. The last home game of the season is always packed with the student section crowded with classmates and teachers. The cheerleaders are in the first two rows, cheering loudly for the Wildcats. The teammates, who are supporting each other in their final chance of victory, have been playing by each other’s side throughout the entire journey. Every second of every minute is personal for everyone.

All schools have their traditions to honor their Seniors and everything they have sacrificed for the athletic programs, but St. Luke’s Senior Night is a celebration for everybody. Not only is the family celebrating their Wildcats, but teachers, friends, and coaches who have helped them through their High School years. This night is always nostalgic. That’s the only word that can be used to describe St. Luke’s Senior Night. It is full of memories, reminiscing on past games, favorite practices, least favorite drills, and hilarious memories shared between the teammates. The underclassmen take on the challenge to plan the special night. They take the time to organize everything from the decorations to the flavor of the cake. The locker room will be flooded with red, black, and white balloons, the lockers will be draped in streamers, and the Senior Wildcats will be crowned. Each team has its tradition that they recreate every year. The boy’s basketball team will always listen to the same song, while the the girls sign basketballs for the Seniors.

Being able to lead both boys' and girls' basketball has exposed me to so many life lessons. I am thankful God has placed me on this path that has crossed with so many amazing young adults, and I am sad to have to let them go.
Coach Garreth Trawick

Recently, the basketball program has one of its most emotional Senior Nights yet. The girls' basketball team is losing on of its most cherished players. KK Robinson is one of three Seniors on the Varsity Girl’s Basketball Team. KK has been part of the St. Luke’s program since seventh grade and is pursuing a collegiate athletic career in basketball. She has already received an offer from Bishop State. KK has been the team’s captain for two years and has made a personal connection with each one of the players. Coach Trawick has been the Lady Wildcats basketball coach for six years and has coached KK through each and every game. Coach Trawick said, “Being able to lead both the boys and girls basketball has exposed me to so many life lessons. I am thankful God has placed me on this path that has crossed with so many amazing young adults, and I am sad to have to let them go.”

This season’s Senior Night ended with two huge wins for both basketball teams. These wins were able to place our Wildcats into an intense battle for the Area Tournaments. Senior Night was celebrated with nine of the St. Luke’s Seniors. The combination of the school’s boys' and girls' basketball teams and the varsity cheerleaders create a long list of achievements. The ceremony occurs between the two games. A student favorite, Mr. Box, introduces and praises each Senior’s accomplishments. Every Senior is presented by their parents, who each receive a rose, and they are showcasing the biggest expression of pride. As a St. Luke’s family, we are so incredibly proud to see how these Wildcats have grown and developed since they arrived on this campus, and we cannot wait to see how they continue to impact the lives around them.

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Seniors Prepare For Biomed Capstone Presentations

Taylor Jackson — Wed, 26 Apr 2023 17:57:52 +0000

About Biomed Senior Capstone Projects.

T
he senior Biomedical Capstone Presentations are the culmination of three years of hard work and dedication. Beginning in the Fundamentals class these students have explored a variety of medical occupations and learned clinical skills that have opened their eyes to the vast career options that are in the realm of healthcare. They have heard from dozens of healthcare professionals that include physicians, nurses, therapists, nutritionists, pharmacists, athletic trainers, medical technicians, paramedics, veterinarians, dentists, prosthetists, criminal investigators, doctoral and post-doctoral research scientists, biomedical engineers, and many others.

In preparation for their presentations, the students began the year by choosing one field of interest to extensively research and experience through clinical observations, job shadows, interviews, and many hours of reading journal articles. The result is they have written a 25-page APA formatted research paper, spent hours with their mentors, and in many cases provided hands-on care for patients.

The diversity of their topics speaks to the breadth of our program. The level of knowledge they possess gives them the confidence to present in front of an audience composed of their peers, family, faculty, mentors, and a number of medical professionals from throughout the Mobile community.

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Center Stage Seniors

Jarnae Harris — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 18:59:38 +0000

Showtime for Center Stage Seniors.

W
orld Theater Day is a day to encourage children to connect to live performances and appreciate the essence, beauty, and importance of theater arts! St. Luke’s offers many theater classes to its Upper School students, including Center Stage for stage actors and Theater Production for theater technology and design enthusiasts. To celebrate World Theater Day, we chatted with Elly Musial and Alex Portella.

Acting can be complex because actors work on their emotions and personalities. Unlike some artists that work with other disciplines to create objects, actors work on themselves to create performances. Theater fans will tell you there is a bit of magic that comes together in theater as with St. Luke’s recent stage production of Mamma Mia. Elly and Alex agree that there are many valuable reasons why students should give Center Stage a try. Acting gives people a voice they would not have otherwise had and it’s a fantastic way to connect with peers and gain confidence with public speaking. While you leave the persona of your character in the dressing room, that exuberant confidence seen on stage finds its way into day-to-day life. Theater is personal and real. It brings people together.

Elly became involved in the arts at a young age, first being exposed to music in KinderMusik as a toddler. As she grew up, she continued to take voice lessons and became a member of the local choir. At the age of 9, she made her debut performance in a production of Annie. Alex became involved in theater in seventh grade in order to join her friends. Her first performance was Cosmic Law during her freshman year.

With years of experience, comes knowledge. Both girls have learned that it’s a MUST to drink water before the curtains rise. Elly says, “It never fails that my throat dries up as soon as I step on stage due to nerves. I’m never as hydrated as I am right before a show.” Alex also takes a few deep breaths to help calm her nerves. (We’ve never thought that either of them appeared nervous in the slightest!)

Now that their final production at St. Luke’s has come to an end, Elly is looking forward to attending Marymount Manhattan College in New York City to further her acting career and will be pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting and minoring in Creative Writing. Alex will be attending Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, NY. She does not plan on doing professional theater but would love to continue doing community shows.

Elly and Alex both really appreciate how hard St. Luke’s Center Stage Director, Ms. Ottolino, has worked growing the theater program. And we, the theater fans, will forever appreciate and remember Elly’s and Alex’s great acting as it brought characters to life and allowed us to connect with the stories on deeper levels. It is through their skillful performances that we were moved, entertained, and inspired. Cut!

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St. Luke’s Seniors Sign To Collegiate Athletics

Kelly Choi — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 21:15:33 +0000

St. Luke's Senior Athletic Signing Day.

I
t’s true! One of the most exciting moments for a student-athlete is deciding where to take their talents to the next level. Years of hard work have led to this moment, and it’s time to celebrate our athletes’ important decisions. St. Luke’s celebrated our first three senior signings on February 6, 2023: Haley Patterson, Andrew Burchett, and Taylor Jackson (more signings are coming soon!).

Haley Patterson

Kennesaw State University Volleyball

Haley Patterson will be playing volleyball at Kennesaw State University. She decided to attend KSU because she really liked the campus, and the coaches and team were very welcoming and nice.

St. Luke’s Varsity Volleyball helped prepare Haley for the next level by teaching her about hard work and discipline. Her teammates would likely describe her as even-keeled, driven, responsible, and funny. One of her strengths is that she doesn’t let things get to her while on the court, like missing a hit or shanking a ball. Haley has learned a great deal about teamwork over the years: no matter how hard you try, you can’t do it all on your own.

Outside of sports, Haley loves going to the beach, going out on the boat, shopping for clothes, and hanging out with friends. In 5 years, she hopes to have a good job.

Andrew Burchett

Emory University Track and Field

Andrew Burchett will be running track and field at Emory University. He decided to attend Emory because he wanted to go somewhere with amazing academics that also had a running program that would allow him to continue to improve for the next four years. He also felt like he fit into their program, unlike any of the other schools he toured.

St. Luke’s helped mold Andrew to become a better leader. He says, "At bigger schools where people don't know each other as well, leaders are typically distinguished solely by their ability." However, at St. Luke's, your respect is earned on other merits as well, such as accountability and dedication. As a new teammate at St. Luke’s, he had to quickly learn how to earn the trust and respect of others and says, "As a new teammate, I found out quickly that simply being good at my sport wasn't enough to gain their respect. I had to earn it each and every day. That meant working hard at practice, handling little things such as the warm-up with precision and respect, showing up to team events and functions, and supporting my other teammates even when I may not have done my best." His teammates would agree that he expects the best from them, and that Andrew will support and respect anyone who puts in the effort.

Andrew has enjoyed watching the running community at St. Luke’s grow in such a short time and says, "When I first got on campus, the team was proud of making it to state. Now, winning is expected, and, as a result, the program has gained interest from others who may not have given track and field a shot."

He admits that he possesses various gifts that give him an advantage when running: longer Achilles tendons and narrow hips make his strides more efficient, and long legs give him a longer stride length. But his greatest strength is his obsession with running. He says, "Many people are motivated for a short period of time, while others are disciplined and are able to continue even when it gets hard. However, obsession is different. Whereas those who are motivated or disciplined are motivated to work, obsession makes work seem like second nature; the alternative is too absurd to think about. I constantly ask myself what I can do to be just a little bit better. Once I figure that part out, I obsess over the minutiae of how I get there. For me, doing something well or winning a race isn't enough. I work until failure simply isn't possible."

When he isn't running, Andrew enjoys hobbies that allow him to constantly improve and compete.He loves going to speech and debate tournaments and noticing his improvement in public speaking. He’s a huge fan of cooking and learning new recipes. Each time he cooks, it’s an opportunity to try new things while becoming comfortable with what is familiar. Last but not least, Andrew enjoys lifting because it improves his track ability, but it's also a great way for him to build self-confidence and challenge himself physically in ways other than track.

5 years from now, Andrew wants to still be working just as hard and hopes to go to law school.

Taylor Jackson

Spring Hill College Cross Country/Track and Field

Taylor Jackson will run track and cross-country at Spring Hill College. She chose Spring Hill because it felt like home to her even during her first campus tour in 9th grade. The size of the school really stood out to her because she knows the importance of that one-on-one relationship with teachers and coaches. Also, being close to home while also getting to experience college by living on campus made the decision easy.

Taylor only started her running career two years ago, but the lack of time pushed her to work even harder. When she started, she never imagined having the chance to run in college, but the stars aligned, and the program seems like the perfect fit for her. Coach Russell was exactly what she needed to get her running career off to a good start. She appreciates that he has always been patient with her and Charlie Anne but pushed them to adapt quickly and expected success. Coach Jones's experience and positivity have helped Taylor on her hardest days.

The St. Luke’s running community has been more than Taylor ever dreamed of, creating the most amazing friendships in just two short years. Taylor says, "The St. Luke’s Cross Country and Track program accepted me and my inexperience from the very beginning. I was allowed to develop my love of running without any judgment. While practices and races continue to be challenging and require extreme toughness, I have learned from the program to respect that challenge and turn it into something I love." The shared experience of running brings Taylor so much joy.

While running is something that she is fairly new to, Taylor believes that, as a captain and runner, her teammates would say that she brings all of her efforts and drive every single day and that she’s passionate and committed. She says, "I do not see running as something that I do once a day and forget about it. Running is a part of my lifestyle, and it is something I put lots of thought into and appreciate. I realize how much effort and mental toughness are required to get better, and I am not afraid of giving it all that I have."

Even though runners race for their own personal bests, Taylor realizes that teamwork is vital to performance. She says, "The runs don't seem as brutal when you are sharing the experience with your team. Besides the best memories, I hope that I will leave my team with just one thing: I hope I’ve shown them that there is no place I’d rather be than running with each of them."

In 5 years, Taylor hopes to be one step closer to med school—and still running, always running!

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