Flower Mound High School Senior Voices
With school buildings and facilities forced to close due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, we asked some seniors to share their thoughts and opinions on their senior year.
Shivangi Agadi
DECA (Vice Presidents), Art Club (President), National Art Honor Society, Math Honors Society and National Honors Society
What do you enjoy most about being a part of your group, club or team?
I feel that the best thing about being involved in a club or team is its ability to bring people together. No matter how different people can be all it takes is just one thing, one common interest to connect them. That is essentially what a club/team does; it puts aside the differences of people to unite them with a similar interest, making one feel like they are a part of something bigger.
The end of your final semester of high school has been unique, to say the least. How do you hope you and your classmates have grown, or will grow from this experience?
I think my peers and I have definitely gained a new understanding through all of this; we realized how many simple things we took for granted and come to appreciate all the small things that we treasure, even school surprisingly. I hope we can at least learn a valuable lesson from this unexpected turn of events and come out stronger than before with a new perspective.
What is your favorite memory from your senior year and what will you always remember about high school?
My favorite memory from my senior year is when I went to Fort Worth for DECA state competitions. It was such a fun time, especially since I was competing with one of my good friends. The experience was one I will remember for a long time. Throughout my years in high school, I will always remember my friends that made every day just that much better, and the opportunities high school gave me to grow and expand my knowledge and skills as a person.
What are some of the ways you have seen your classmates, staff and/or community rise to the occasion during this worldwide pandemic?
Some of my friends and teachers have inspired me to stay strong and make the best of this situation. Mrs. Harper, the art club sponsor sent out to all the art club students encouraging them to make letters for the elderly at the senior homes. This made me realize that so many people are going through this right now and some have it worse. The people at senior homes cannot even get guests and Mrs. Harper kindly thought of them and that a letter would make them feel just a little less lonely. My friends have also not let this situation bring them down. One of my good friends brought me brownies to my doorstep and it brightened my whole day. They were delicious and made me happy because it proves that during all this, I still have my friends to talk to and count on.
What teacher or staff member impacted you the most throughout your school years?
Throughout my years in high school there have been many teachers who have impacted me. I would say Mrs. Harper and Mrs. Brown influenced me the most as I was most involved in DECA and Art Club, they are both sponsors of that club. They have inspired and encouraged me in the few years that I was part of DECA and Art Club. I will always remember the lessons and constant motivation they've shown me even after high school.
In the years to come, how do you hope history remembers the Class of 2020 and how you and your classmates reacted to this tough last semester?
I hope people look back at the seniors of 2020 and not feel sorry for them, but recognize them for their bravery and strength. We missed out on essential things that other people treasure for the rest of their lives. But we, the seniors of 2020, made the best of our senior year, no matter the events that were lost we still made it through, and will continue to thrive and look back at this as a hurdle in our life we jumped and prospered forward.
Cameron Brown
Baseball team, Team Captain
What do you enjoy most about being a part of your group, club or team?
Being able to play my favorite sport with my best friends.
The end of your final semester of high school has been unique, to say the least. How do you hope you and your classmates have grown, or will grow from this experience?
We really learned not to take anything for granted, you never know how soon it can be stripped from you.
What is your favorite memory from your senior year and what will you always remember about high school?
Playing baseball for the Jags.
What are some of the ways you have seen your classmates, staff and/or community rise to the occasion during this worldwide pandemic?
The car parades show support while abiding by the social distancing rules.
What teacher or staff member impacted you the most throughout your school years?
Coach Wallace has made it a true pleasure to be a Jaguar.
In the years to come, how do you hope history remembers the Class of 2020 and how you and your classmates reacted to this tough last semester?
I hope we’re remembered by being able to overcome adversity and adapt to new situations.
Rachel Browning
Cheer and Student Council
What do you enjoy most about being a part of your group, club or team?
I enjoy being involved with the school and it gives me something to do so I am not just sitting at home doing nothing. It also helped me make new friends. Some of my best high school memories are from these activities.
The end of your final semester of high school has been unique, to say the least. How do you hope you and your classmates have grown, or will grow from this experience?
I hope it shows us that not everything is going to happen the way we expect it, so we need to be ready for anything to happen and be open to change. It has also shown us to live every moment like it is your last because you don’t know when it will actually be.
What is your favorite memory from your senior year and what will you always remember about high school?
There are too many to just pick one. I love all of the memories with my friends where we just laugh until we can’t breathe. I wouldn’t have met any of them if it wasn’t for high school. I am going to miss them so much when I go to college.
What are some of the ways you have seen your classmates, staff and/or community rise to the occasion during this worldwide pandemic?
They are all being super positive and posting cute and uplifting stuff on Instagram and Twitter. It is really nice to see that they care about us.
What teacher or staff member impacted you the most throughout your school years?
I don’t know if I have a specific one, but I never really had a bad teacher. They all were really good and supportive.
In the years to come, how do you hope history remembers the Class of 2020 and how you and your classmates reacted to this tough last semester?
Like I said before, I hope the underclassmen really enjoy the rest of their high school experience like it is their last because you never know when it is going to end. I hope our class shows all the other classes that.
Isabelle Capua
Kindness Club, Student Council, Senior Class President
What do you enjoy most about being a part of your group, club or team?
I love the relationships I have made with friends throughout student council. We always have fun making posters and decorating the hallways. It’s great getting more involved in school because it’s fun participating in the activities.
The end of your final semester of high school has been unique, to say the least. How do you hope you and your classmates have grown, or will grow from this experience?
I hope the class of 2020 grows by cherishing every memory and living in the moment because it can be taken away. I hope we stay positive and have a better outlook on things such as being thankful for a sunny day, seeing friends and going to class.
What is your favorite memory from your senior year and what will you always remember about high school?
My favorite memory is Mound Showdown. The energy is always insane and students love being involved with the football players. The dress-up days are fun and a great way to show spirit. Having the halls decorated makes the students more eager for the game! I will always remember the fun I had in high school and how FMHS always provided ways for students to become successful.
What are some of the ways you have seen your classmates, staff and/or community rise to the occasion during this worldwide pandemic?
Picking up my cap and gown brought tears to my eyes because seeing the administration and staff cheer and hold signs made it more special. Staying positive throughout this is hard, so seeing happy and smiling faces makes us excited for graduation!
What teacher or staff member impacted you the most throughout your school years?
Ms. Shipman has impacted me the most throughout high school and is the reason I am majoring in education. She genuinely wanted to get to know me when I joined StuCo class and always checks on me when I’m having a bad day. She made learning fun! I will always remember what I learned in anatomy because she comes up with the best tricks to remember parts of the body.
In the years to come, how do you hope history remembers the Class of 2020 and how you and your classmates reacted to this tough last semester?
I hope history remembers the class of 2020 as the class that overcame obstacles and came out successful. We are closing this chapter of our life to start college and this gives us a chance to make a difference in the world. I hope they see how tough it is to be in our situation and how they should enjoy every moment and take advantage of all the activities and spirit days in high school.
Scott Convery
FM Wire (Editor-in-Chief)
What do you enjoy most about being a part of your group, club or team?
There’s gotta be something said for having a physical product to show for all of your hard work. As a member of the newspaper staff, we are able to share our efforts with the school and with each other when we get our hands on the copies at the end of each nine weeks. Over this past year, some great steps forward were made in regards to the quality of the publication, and it was really uplifting to hear the positive response from the staff and students.
The end of your final semester of high school has been unique, to say the least. How do you hope you and your classmates have grown, or will grow from this experience?
Even though basically all of my friends and peers were alike in a feeling of exhaustion with high school by the time spring break rolled around, I know very few of them who wouldn’t want to go back now. It really just goes to show that you can’t always count on getting closure when you planned, and it’s important to make your own special moments, because you never know if you won’t get another chance.
What is your favorite memory from your senior year and what will you always remember about high school?
My favorite memory from this year would have to be watching the Mound Showdown from the field with all my friends. I’m not really that into football or anything, but moments like those where I surrounded myself with my friends and got to see everybody who I’d shared hallways and classrooms with for four years all in one place was something I could tell was very exclusive to that moment in time. It was a great memory then, but now I feel like it’s an even more important one to hold on to.
What are some of the ways you have seen your classmates, staff and/or community rise to the occasion during this worldwide pandemic?
I was honestly very surprised by the general response from everybody in the community in regards to us seniors. In situations like these where times are hard for some more than others, I was anticipating little to no sympathy from others, and more of a competitive misery, where people told each other when they were and weren’t allowed to be upset. Shockingly, this didn’t happen, and instead people realized and sympathized with us students who would be missing out on all these big moments. Of course there are plenty of people who have this time far tougher, but it was nice to have our situation recognized.
What teacher or staff member impacted you the most throughout your school years?
Without a doubt Mrs. West, my sophomore year English teacher, has been one of the best parts about being at Flower Mound for me. While I was in her class she really pushed me to become a better writer, speaker, and thinker, and that was one-hundred percent a result of her teaching, not the curriculum. Even once I was out of her class, Mrs. West was just a great person to have on campus. I couldn’t even try to count the number of mornings I would stop by her room before class and just have a nice conversation. I believe people like her, and really all of the FMHS English department are the reason why I still put in effort all throughout my high school career.
In the years to come, how do you hope history remembers the Class of 2020 and how you and your classmates reacted to this tough last semester?
While I’m sure the plight of high schoolers during this pandemic won’t exactly be front-and-center when people recall this event, I think the struggles we have endured are useful. Bad times happen; that we know for sure, and I would bet this won’t be the last time in our lives that we struggle as a community. Keeping a level head and strong principles through times of uncertainty is something invaluable that I would hope we can all come out of this bearing in mind.
Lindsay Nicole Dombroski
Rosettes (1st Lieutenant), English Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, National Honor Society, Student Council
What do you enjoy most about being a part of your group, club or team?
I love the instant sisterhood it brought me and how we all share a love for dance. It is very rewarding to work towards the same goal as a team and have it be accomplished. Rosettes definitely made high school a lot more enjoyable!
The end of your final semester of high school has been unique, to say the least. How do you hope you and your classmates have grown, or will grow from this experience?
I hope that this experience teaches us that the little things in everyday life matter the most. No one saw this coming, so we also need to learn to trust in the process and trust that everything happens for a reason even if we can’t see it right now.
What is your favorite memory from your senior year and what will you always remember about high school?
My favorite memory from my senior year was my final Rosette Spring Show. Thankfully, we got to have it before school closed and I am so grateful for that experience. I will always remember the way the teachers impacted their students. At FMHS, the teachers care so deeply for their students and it definitely shows. I will miss Ms. Schmaltz the most!
What are some of the ways you have seen your classmates, staff and/or community rise to the occasion during this worldwide pandemic?
A lot of my friends during this pandemic have been baking and writing notes to drop off at their friends' houses. They just leave it on the porch and it definitely makes my day anytime I get one! It helps to remind me that there is still good happening all around us in the midst of a global pandemic.
What teacher or staff member impacted you the most throughout your school years?
Ms. Schmaltz, my sophomore PAP English teacher, impacted me the most throughout the three years that I've known her. She cares for her students incredibly deeply and takes the time to get to know you on a personal level. She is always so full of joy and it is contagious. She has taught me to look for the good and that English isn’t always a bad thing! ;)
In the years to come, how do you hope history remembers the Class of 2020 and how you and your classmates reacted to this tough last semester?
I hope that in the years to come people will remember the class of 2020 and see how we tried to remain positive as much as possible. I also hope that future Senior classes will not take everything for granted because it can all be stripped away in an instant.
Eric Haddad
Band (Trumpet Squad Leader), National Honor Society (Parliamentarian), Mu Alpha Theta, Science National Honor Society, Music Honor Society
What do you enjoy most about being a part of your group, club or team?
I most enjoy the sense of family that comes with being a part of a group and the relationships that are built with it. When times were tough, I always had someone to go to. When times were good, I always had someone to celebrate with. I made lifelong friends that I know I will be in touch with even long after high school. Going into high school, my friend group was a whole lot different, and smaller, than it is now. Being a part of multiple groups gave me the opportunity to connect with more people and build strong relationships throughout high school. Some of the best lessons I've learned have been from other people and it wouldn't have been possible without the community built from these groups.
The end of your final semester of high school has been unique, to say the least. How do you hope you and your classmates have grown, or will grow from this experience?
Although this isn't the ideal ending any of us had in mind, some good has come from it. I feel the biggest way we all have grown from this is not taking the small things for granted. Having the final, and debatably best, part of high school taken away has taught us that we should go through life slower, fully enjoying every experience. Many times in high school we have rushed through things, many of us rushing to this time in our life right now. However, it's important to slow down and live in the moment. Once this is over, and the world opens back up, we are going to stop speeding through life. We now realize that we should take nothing for granted and we need to appreciate everything that we get to do while we have the chance to do it.
What is your favorite memory from your senior year and what will you always remember about high school?
My favorite memory from this year would be the field trip to iFLY with my AP Calculus AB class. Indoor skydiving was a fun and unique experience, completely different from any of the field trips I’ve been on before, and it was really cool to do with some of my closest friends I had in that class. When I look back at high school, I'll remember the feeling of community I had in all my classes, as well as all of the personal lessons it taught me. I value the friends I made in my classes and extracurriculars more than anything. I had a great support system because of them and not just for school and clubs, but for my personal life as well. Also, I've learned so much on top of what we covered in class, whether from teachers or friends, and those lessons are things I'm sure to remember for the rest of my life.
What are some of the ways you have seen your classmates, staff and/or community rise to the occasion during this worldwide pandemic?
During this pandemic, I've noticed everyone has been making more of an effort than usual to reach out to people. Although we haven't been able to see each other in person, like we had been used to doing every day, everyone has been checking in with each other and making sure they are doing okay. The physical distance between people has increased digital communication through texting, calling, and social media. People are using this time to get closer to others, ensuring no one feels alone. One of the biggest differences someone can have is making sure others know they aren’t alone. It’s pretty great to see everyone come together in a time like this.
What teacher or staff member impacted you the most throughout your school years?
The band directors are the teachers that impacted me most throughout high school. During my time in band, they taught me the value of hard work and perseverance. They were incredibly patient and dedicated to everything. They developed personal connections with every student as soon as we freshmen which made us feel welcomed and cared about. Even through some of the harder times, they kept pushing us to do our best and not accept anything but. They valued the hard work and dedication I put in no matter the outcome. The lessons I've learned from them will stay with me for the rest of my life.
In the years to come, how do you hope history remembers the Class of 2020 and how you and your classmates reacted to this tough last semester?
I hope history remembers the Class of 2020 as the class that was resilient and adaptive, even when things were not in our favor. Though this wasn't the ending any of us expected, we were able to look past it and see the good that came out of it, all while making efforts to help one another during this tragedy. All of us recognize the larger implications of this pandemic, and this lackluster end to senior year is a small price to pay in the grand scheme of things, even if it’s hard to cope with right now. I hope they see us as inspired, not defeated. Even during uncertain times like these, there is always something to look forward to, and all hope is not, and never will be, lost. Ultimately, we will come out of this stronger and more sympathetic, growing from this unfortunate experience we all shared.
Mackenzie Marie Head
Cheer
What do you enjoy most about being a part of your group, club or team?
All the friendships I made and competing with my team.
The end of your final semester of high school has been unique, to say the least. How do you hope you and your classmates have grown, or will grow from this experience?
It’s very difficult being away from my friends for so long because we are all together, but we all definitely have grown a stronger friendship from being far from each other by FaceTiming or just keeping in touch. This definitely shows what college will be like, not being able to see everyone.
What is your favorite memory from your senior year and what will you always remember about high school?
Definitely our nationals cheer competition in Florida! It was so much fun and I made so many memories with some of my best friends.
What are some of the ways you have seen your classmates, staff and/or community rise to the occasion during this worldwide pandemic?
We all just communicate through FaceTime, social media or just text. It’s very difficult not being able to be with your friends or even classmates at school.
What teacher or staff member impacted you the most throughout your school years?
Definitely my cheer coach, Coach Smith. She was always there for me when I needed anything and helped me grow as a person. I started as a shy little freshman and grew into a very outgoing senior who is gonna do big things later on in life. I couldn't be more thankful for her, because even if she doesn’t know it, she definitely made me realize that. Even though I got put in the toughest position in UIL this year, she helped me push through it and made me realize I can accomplish anything I put my mind to.
In the years to come, how do you hope history remembers the Class of 2020 and how you and your classmates reacted to this tough last semester?
Even though we didn’t get to experience everything, we still have so much more to come with college and just life in general.
Thomas Kall
Band, Drum Major
What do you enjoy most about being a part of your group, club or team?
I enjoy the culture of getting better all the time and working hard to get to where we want to go, and all the friends and sense of community in the band.
The end of your final semester of high school has been unique, to say the least. How do you hope you and your classmates have grown, or will grow from this experience?
I hope we all come to appreciate our outstanding teachers to a much greater degree, and I hope that we will all become stronger individuals now that we have had a period where we have been forced to learn and maintain our health without help from teachers, coaches and friends.
What is your favorite memory from your senior year and what will you always remember about high school?
My favorite memory from this year was getting to watch our football team play in the AT&T stadium in the playoffs, and I will always remember getting to go to Pasadena to march in the Rose Parade.
What are some of the ways you have seen your classmates, staff and/or community rise to the occasion during this worldwide pandemic?
My teachers have made every effort to stay in contact with us and make sure that we are ok. They continue to help us prepare for AP tests and move on like normal. I have also seen my classmates (especially in band) use online tools to help others that need it and prepare for next year. It's awesome to see so many seniors step up and leave with a bang even though they aren't in school to help underclassmen.
What teacher or staff member impacted you the most throughout your school years?
The most impactful teacher I have had has been Mr. Parsons. I've taken three of his classes, some of which are the hardest classes I've taken. However, his excellent teaching and his goofiness made me look forward to his class every day. He made me actually like physics so much that I'm majoring in engineering, and he even made me evaluate whether I wanted to be a teacher and try to leave an impression on someone like he left on me. Plus, I'm really good at hacky sack now thanks to class sack time after our lessons.
In the years to come, how do you hope history remembers the Class of 2020 and how you and your classmates reacted to this tough last semester?
I hope that we come out of this and hit the ground running and push ourselves so that we don't miss a beat as we enter the world again. I hope history nearly forgets that we had to transition out of high school and into college all online, because I hope that we will work hard enough to get back to normalcy and start working to meet our high expectations once again.
Macy Keller
American Sign Language Club President, American Sign Language Honor Society member
What do you enjoy most about being a part of your group, club or team?
The thing I enjoy most about American Sign Language club (ASL) is getting to connect with students who want to learn ASL. ASL connects people who are hearing, hard of hearing, and deaf- all through communication. Communication is one of the biggest aspects of a person's life, so when you are unable to communicate ‘normally’, it can be really stressful and doubting. But, in ASL club, we love to communicate through sign, and love to communicate to Deaf or hard of hearing people as well. Being able to connect and communicate with everyone using American Sign Language is the most rewarding experience I have ever witnessed, and I highly encourage anyone who is interested to get involved.
The end of your final semester of high school has been unique, to say the least. How do you hope you and your classmates have grown, or will grow from this experience?
The end of the school year is very very unique! I just hope that right now everyone is safe at home with their families. I know online school is stressful and technology isn’t always on our side, but one thing I hope people learn/grow from is being patient. Being patient is a key form of living life in my opinion. People are not always going to be exactly how you want and need them, same with technology! But you just have to be patient, communicate and try not to stress about things too much.
What is your favorite memory from your senior year and what will you always remember about high school?
My favorite memory from senior year was when I got announced to be ASL Club President. I worked really hard for that position, and as soon as I heard my name over the announcements, immediate satisfaction and relief came over me; I got congratulated by my class I was in, people were texting me saying ‘good job’, and most of all, my ASL teacher said that she’s glad it’s me as president. I’ll remember that moment forever! Something I’ll always remember in high school is being a part of clubs. I was a part of orchestra, Athletic Training, and now ASL. I think staying involved with things during high school is important, and a great way to find new friends.
What are some of the ways you have seen your classmates, staff and/or community rise to the occasion during this worldwide pandemic?
I think everyone is on the same page of wanting this to be over and wanting to go back to their daily lives, so everyone is doing their part and staying home. I have seen people crafting masks to wear out and selling to people, which is a great idea that would really help us out in the long run. This is a stressful time for everyone involved, but I hope that us being patient and willing to help our community by staying inside will help our world.
What teacher or staff member impacted you the most throughout your school years?
A teacher who impacted me throughout the school year was Mrs. Atchley. She was the most patient teacher, always had a huge smile on her face, loved her job, and never complained. She is the American Sign Language teacher, and she taught me all of what I know now. She showed me how amazing the deaf community was, and how even more amazing it was to be involved with it. She always saw the best in bad situations, and only wishes the best for her kids. She is honestly the most kind, respectable person I know, and I am more than lucky to be a student of hers.
In the years to come, how do you hope history remembers the Class of 2020 and how you and your classmates reacted to this tough last semester?
I hope history remembers the Class of 2020 by us being patient and willing. I know that all of us seniors feel ‘cheated’ by not having our prom or graduation on time. But, even the small things are sad to not happen, like senior field day. But, I am sure that all or most of our Class knows and understands the situation we are going through, and is patient and willing to help the community out by practicing those things. We all thought 2020 would be the year that would ‘send us off to adulthood’ but I think that this pandemic helped us get there faster, by forcing us to be patient and willing.
Kaylynn Lauriano
American Sign Language Honor Society (President)
What do you enjoy most about being a part of your group, club or team?
I love being able to watch everyone who has a passion for American Sign Language (ASL) and Deaf culture get together to practice and enrich their understanding, spending time with them, and making new friends!
The end of your final semester of high school has been unique, to say the least. How do you hope you and your classmates have grown, or will grow from this experience?
I hope that with social distancing, it’ll be easier to keep and maintain our friendships through college! We’ll be far apart, but during quarantine we’ve been calling more and more, so I hope this will continue as we graduate and head to college.
What is your favorite memory from your senior year and what will you always remember about high school?
My favorite memory would be any memory with my friends! High school has been a crazy experience and I am most fond of my memories with my close friends! One thing I’ll always remember is my amazing teachers and the ASLHS!
What are some of the ways you have seen your classmates, staff and/or community rise to the occasion during this worldwide pandemic?
I’ve been FaceTiming with my friends and using Webex for classmates and teachers for class. We’ve been having our ASLHS meetings through Webex as well!
What teacher or staff member impacted you the most throughout your school years?
Mrs. Atchley for sure! She ignited a passion for ASL and Deaf culture in me and I love her so much. Her energy is contagious and I always look forward to seeing her. I’m so lucky to have known her for three years!
In the years to come, how do you hope history remembers the Class of 2020 and how you and your classmates reacted to this tough last semester?
I hope they remember that we always find a way! People have been having car picnics six feet apart, FaceTiming, and even getting presents and leaving them in mailboxes. We find a way through to keep connected through creativity!
Junia Lee
Flower Mound Band Program (Head Drum Major), National Honor Society, English Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Tri-M Honor Society, National French Honor Society, LISD Kindness Ambassadors, Student Ambassadors, Evening with the Stars Honoree, Century Club
What do you enjoy most about being a part of your group, club or team?
Being in the band program has taught me a lot about what it means to be a leader, teammate, musician and student. Through band, I was able to gain experience, learn how to overcome the highest obstacles, and make the best memories—ones I will never forget. The exhilarating football games, the roaring cheers from our supportive community, the lasting memories with the best of friends—I love everything about it. All of the things, from the hot summer rehearsals in August to the preparations for the Spring UIL Contest, has made me into the person I am today. When I look back at these past four years, I marvel at how extraordinary this journey has been. Whether it’s being on the football field or on stage in an auditorium, I really enjoyed being a part of something bigger than myself with the most amazing directors, encouraging friends and loving family.
The end of your final semester of high school has been unique, to say the least. How do you hope you and your classmates have grown, or will grow from this experience?
This semester did not go as any of us had planned. For us, seniors especially, we were looking forward to all of the spring activities and events. However, I think that this experience has taught us to be resilient and that even amongst uncharted territories, we should remain strong and positive. Through this time, I believe that we have and are growing not only in our knowledge of ourselves but our creativity. We are stepping up to the challenges that are thrown at us and taking action instead of being complacent. It has definitely taught me the importance of connection and the ideal of looking at different perspectives. I hope that this experience will lead us to be a little more grateful for what we have and for what we get to fulfill, and we will look to it as an opportunity to grow and learn.
What is your favorite memory from your senior year and what will you always remember about high school?
My favorite memory from my senior year would have to be my final performance in the Alamodome in San Antonio. Going into this performance, the level of focus was so sharp that I knew we were going to do amazing. From the very beginning to the last cutoff, I couldn't stop smiling. And when I turned around to bow, the ENTIRE audience were on their feet. It was the most surreal moment of my life, which made coming off the field bittersweet. Everyone knew what we had just done was irreplaceable and was in tears, hugging, and congratulating each other. In all of my four years, I have never come off the field in tears of joy and pride—until that night. That moment will stay with me forever. As for high school, I will always remember it as a place full of opportunities and growth. Through this experience, I was able to become a better version of myself.
What are some of the ways you have seen your classmates, staff and/or community rise to the occasion during this worldwide pandemic?
Because of school being canceled, the band is losing one of the most valuable times for the upcoming marching season. In May, we hold our first movement camps and rehearsals to introduce/refresh our memories on our marching technique. The Band Leadership Team has stepped up to make a Marching Technique Video Series with all of the different materials we would have been learning at this time. Our directors have also been posting Senior Spotlights on the Band Social Media accounts, and to celebrate the directors with April birthdays, the students have been making video montages for them as well. During these trying times, the Flower Mound community has been nothing but supportive and positive. I am so lucky to be a part of such influence.
What teacher or staff member impacted you the most throughout your school years?
I have had a lot of impactful teachers throughout my school years: Mr. Brent Biskup, Ms. Jana Harvey, Mr. Kyle Ayoub, Mr. Dave Gronneberg, Mr. Taylor Davis, Mr. William Martin, Mrs. Alexa Jones—to name some. I have even seen some of them every day for the past four years. However, no words can describe how grateful I am to have been in Mrs. Julie Cramer’s Kindergarten class. She was the very first teacher to have given me the courage to step out of my comfort zone and to have taught me that it was okay to be unique. In more ways than one, she has motivated, encouraged, and pushed me to strive for great things, even if it meant making mistakes along the way. From writing my first sentences to talking about my college decisions, I am who I am today, because of all the things Mrs. Cramer has taught and done for me.
In the years to come, how do you hope history remembers the Class of 2020 and how you and your classmates reacted to this tough last semester?
I want the Class of 2020—whether it’s for college, graduate school, or high school graduates—to be remembered as the ones who kept moving forward with their heads held high. I want us to be the inspiration to the next generations and classes of graduates to stay strong and positive through tough times. I want them to live their lives and be who they want to be. I don’t want people to pity us for not being able to have a proper last semester. I want people to know that we did everything we could to live life to the fullest, even in such trying times. This last semester was definitely unexpected, but if anything, I recognized the importance of family, friendship and fun. It has opened my eyes to far greater things. We have learned to become strong and resilient and to look for the silver lining.
Jacob Robert Lemon
Football, I am Second
What do you enjoy most about being a part of your group, club or team?
What more could you enjoy about pancakes and Jesus at I am Second? It was even better because I could be around friends, even though we had to get up really early to do so.
The end of your final semester of high school has been unique, to say the least. How do you hope you and your classmates have grown, or will grow from this experience?
Jaguar football team was amazing. It taught me how to overcome adversity and enjoy victory that much more.
What are some of the ways you have seen your classmates, staff and/or community rise to the occasion during this worldwide pandemic?
The thing I hope my classmates and I take from this experience is the ability to adapt to the many changing circumstances in our world. I also hope that we learned that nothing is permanent so we need to cherish as much as we can while it is still there. We were all expecting to have a fun final semester and it evidently didn’t turn out that way, so we need to live in the moment.
What is your favorite memory from your senior year and what will you always remember about high school?
My favorite memory of high school was hanging out with my friends, whether it was in the mornings at I am Second or on the football field, I will hold onto those memories forever.
What are some of the ways you have seen your classmates, staff and/or community rise to the occasion during this worldwide pandemic?
I was most impressed by how quickly our community has helped others during this time of panic and uncertainty. I have seen a lot of people take the focus away from themselves to help others which has been really inspiring. For example, the other day I went up to the high school to go pick up my cap and gown. When I arrived, I saw all of my teachers cheering me on telling my congratulations. I really appreciated it. They could have easily stayed home, but they wanted to make mine and the other seniors' day better. I have seen other people deliver food and necessities to folks who are at a higher risk. These acts of selflessness have really inspired hope in our society.
What teacher or staff member impacted you the most throughout your school years?
The teacher who impacted me the most in high school was Ms. Cranford. She was always there for me, checking up on how I was doing. Most times I would come into I am Second early to get the room prepared for our meeting. She would always make sure that everything was going well in my life. When a hardship happened she was always there; when my grandfather passed away she checked up on me; and when I came back to school she was waiting to give me a hug.
In the years to come, how do you hope history remembers the Class of 2020 and how you and your classmates reacted to this tough last semester?
I hope history remembers the class of 2020 as resilient. Even though we won't be able to do the fun things that all the other seniors got to do. We were flexible and able to push through this hardship and come out the other side.
Caroline McCarrell
Texas Association of Future Educators
What do you enjoy most about being a part of your group, club or team?
It’s preparing me for my future job and I love the people.
The end of your final semester of high school has been unique, to say the least. How do you hope you and your classmates have grown, or will grow from this experience?
I hope we will come out of this weird time more together than ever to help rebuild and reshape the aftermath of this pandemic.
What is your favorite memory from your senior year and what will you always remember about high school?
My favorite memory is painting my parking spot; all my friends came out to help and it was a lot of fun.
What are some of the ways you have seen your classmates, staff and/or community rise to the occasion during this worldwide pandemic?
Lots of emails from teachers being very supportive and informative.
What teacher or staff member impacted you the most throughout your school years?
Mr. Price supported me during a really hard time in my life by going to the funeral of my mom.
In the years to come, how do you hope history remembers the Class of 2020 and how you and your classmates reacted to this tough last semester?
I hope people look to us and cherish their senior year and to see us as people who made the most out of what they were given.
Zhanna Miller
Texas Association of Future Educators
What do you enjoy most about being a part of your group, club or team?
The thing that I enjoy most about being a part of the Texas Association of Future Educators (TAFE) is getting to explore the field of education while making connections with other students and educators who will support you along the way. Trying to figure out what you want to do in the world can be scary; but when you have a support system to have fun and learn with, it makes it all a lot easier.
The end of your final semester of high school has been unique, to say the least. How do you hope you and your classmates have grown, or will grow from this experience?
I hope that the Class of 2020 can come out of this better than any of us went into it. For some of us, this could've been the very first experience with true adversity that we have ever had. I hope that going through this gives us experience in how to overcome struggles that we will encounter in the future, and how to come out of them better and stronger than we went into them. I don't think there's a better lesson that we could be learning as we head out into the world.
What is your favorite memory from your senior year and what will you always remember about high school?
My favorite memory from senior year was when the Flower Mound TAFE group went to BJ's late one night for pizookies when we were in McAllen for our state conference. We had all worked so hard on our competitions and supported each other every step of the way... it was time to celebrate! We had a lot of fun on that trip on top of learning a lot. One thing that I will always remember from high school is that Flower Mound Jaguars always stick together and encourage each other to be the best they can be. Jags build you up to be your best and then celebrate with you when you've met your goals.
What are some of the ways you have seen your classmates, staff and/or community rise to the occasion during this worldwide pandemic?
It's been amazing to see how my classmates and the FMHS staff have risen to the unprecedented circumstances that we're facing. All of the staff has worked really hard to make sure that the students are still learning and taken care of. This just goes to show how taking school beyond the walls of a school building is so important and necessary. As an aspiring educator, I'll always keep that in mind. It's also really cool to see the entire community come together and work for the betterment of others. The idea of working for the common good seems to have gone out of style these days. It's really reassuring to see everyone come together during this time, and it's restored my faith in humanity.
What teacher or staff member impacted you the most throughout your school years?
I have had two staff members who have really inspired me during my time at Flower Mound High School: Mrs. Bell and Mr. Lahey. Both of these educators have encouraged me as I have explored the path to go into the education field. I know that I can go to either of these individuals with any question I may have and will walk away with more knowledge than I came to them with. I hope that I can be an inspirational educator that encourages students to chase their dreams just like they've encouraged me to chase mine. I'm grateful that I've gotten to know both of these staff members, and I look forward to the day when I can join them in the field of education.
In the years to come, how do you hope history remembers the Class of 2020 and how you and your classmates reacted to this tough last semester?
I hope that the Class of 2020 goes down in history books as "the class that persevered." This final semester of high school is not at all what we expected it to be. Despite the challenges and the unknowns, nothing is going to stop us from persevering to move on and chase our dreams as the next chapter of our life begins.
Michelle Pavlik
AFJROTC, former Group Commander
What do you enjoy most about being a part of your group, club or team?
The best part of AFJROTC is definitely the family-like bond you create with everyone in the corps. I love how close all of us are with one another, and how much we each support each other in everything we do both inside and out of the classroom.
The end of your final semester of high school has been unique, to say the least. How do you hope you and your classmates have grown, or will grow from this experience?
I hope this will teach us to never take anything for granted, to always live life to its fullest and to take advantage of the opportunities to spend time with those closest to you.
What is your favorite memory from your senior year and what will you always remember about high school?
Helping clean the concessions stand area, and using way too much dish soap to clean up to the point of bubbles going everywhere. A little dish soap goes a long way, but a lot of dish soap goes a long way too. It was late at night and freezing outside, but it was fun to be jammed in the tiny concessions stand just helping out alongside my friends. I’ll always remember having somewhere to go from high school and having a group of friends and the best teachers that I could just chat with for hours.
What are some of the ways you have seen your classmates, staff and/or community rise to the occasion during this worldwide pandemic?
I’ve seen how some of my teachers have completely rearranged their pre-done schedules for the classes, in order to make this transition easier for all of us which means the world. And how I’ve gotten phone calls and emails from friends and teachers just to periodically check up on how I’m doing, which really means a lot to me.
What teacher or staff member impacted you the most throughout your school years?
Colonel Hansen and Master Sergeant Copland have to be the ones who stick out the most. They’ve known my entire family for years, and they treat me like I’m their own daughter. They’ve had my back since before I even joined the corps, and they’re more than just instructors but at this point family. I know I can always go to them about anything, school-related or not, and they’ve supported me in so many challenges I’ve faced during high school. They both just mean a lot to myself and my family, and I love them a bunch.
In the years to come, how do you hope history remembers the Class of 2020 and how you and your classmates reacted to this tough last semester?
I’ve said this multiple times, but the Class of 2020 better have an amazing high school reunion years down the road to make up for the things we’ve missed. But, I’d say this class is the class that realizes the more important things in life, and even though we were robbed of a lot of milestones that we’ve dreamt about for years, we realize what’s most important during this time and ultimately when it comes down to it we’re just happy to have such a strong community to lean on during this crazy time.
Savannah Peterson
EHS, NHS, Century Club, Salt and Light, and Texas Association of Future Educators (Club Secretary)
What do you enjoy most about being a part of your group, club or team?
For Texas Association of Future Educators (TAFE) specifically, I love our group and how we are all united under a common goal. We all want to enter careers in education and are very supportive of one another. The events and competitions we participate in give us all an opportunity to show off our skills and creativity as well as celebrate one another. Overall, being a part of TAFE has been a great experience, and I have enjoyed being a part of it all.
The end of your final semester of high school has been unique, to say the least. How do you hope you and your classmates have grown, or will grow from this experience?
I think we will all be a bit more willing to change and adapt after all of this is over. We have all had a jumpstart in learning that particular lesson, so I hope it follows us into our adult lives. Additionally, I think we will all be more grateful for what we are able to do or have access to after quarantine is over because not being able to go places and see other people has taken a toll on some of us.
What is your favorite memory from your senior year and what will you always remember about high school?
During senior year, I had more opportunities to hang out with my friends, so my favorite memories are the times where we could hang out and just make each other laugh. Remembering back to when we were driving around and had to pull over because we were laughing too hard will always make me smile.
What are some of the ways you have seen your classmates, staff and/or community rise to the occasion during this worldwide pandemic?
I have enjoyed seeing how people have managed to continue interacting and supporting one another while maintaining quarantine and social distancing. Be it through drive-by celebrations or through constant availability online, we are determined to be there for each other during this difficult time.
What teacher or staff member impacted you the most throughout your school years?
Mrs. Garrett made the biggest impact on me. Not only is she a fantastic teacher, but she has also played a role in my wanting to be a teacher and has provided a safe place in her classroom where I always feel welcomed. I have had her as a teacher in some capacity for the past three years and will miss her a lot once I leave FMHS.
In the years to come, how do you hope history remembers the Class of 2020 and how you and your classmates reacted to this tough last semester?
I hope history remembers us as a class that persevered through this crazy last semester. Though it has been a bummer to miss out on the classic senior experience, most of us seem in good spirits and remain optimistic about it all.
William Pottorff
Student Council (Student Body President), Football, Circle of Friends, FCA
What do you enjoy most about being a part of your group, club or team?
I just like seeing people and teachers every day. I knew no matter how my day or week was going when I walked into student council or football, I knew that it's gonna be a fun and good day no matter what. Same with Circle of Friends, those kids will always cheer you up and give you some perspective on life.
The end of your final semester of high school has been unique, to say the least. How do you hope you and your classmates have grown, or will grow from this experience?
I think it will really better our class and our generation. I think we have seen how lucky and blessed we are and how things can change in the matter of days, and really in a matter of seconds.
What is your favorite memory from your senior year and what will you always remember about high school?
My favorite memory from senior year was when we won our schools first-ever football playoff game, and then the next game we got to play at Cowboys stadium. But, I will always miss seeing the same faces everyday and my teachers who I would like to talk with. I'll miss a lot of things for sure. I will always remember not to take everything super serious (I mean obviously some things you have to take seriously), and to enjoy every second of every day. Especially because you never know when it will end.
What are some of the ways you have seen your classmates, staff and/or community rise to the occasion during this worldwide pandemic?
I've seen our school really support each other and especially the staff has done the best they could to make sure us seniors know how much they care for us. I've seen all of us adapt and overcome when it comes to online school.
What teacher or staff member impacted you the most throughout your school years?
I can’t choose one but I have three in mind. Coach Basil has taught me so many lessons throughout high school that are much bigger than football and I will always cherish those. Mrs. McDaniel always pushed me in math and showed me I can do things well if I apply myself, even things that I hate. And Ms. Bailey was one of the best teachers I had. I could always go into her room and talk to her about anything. I will miss all these teachers and the fun we had together!
In the years to come, how do you hope history remembers the Class of 2020 and how you and your classmates reacted to this tough last semester?
A class that preserved and a class that overcame these tough times. I hope that people don't see us just complaining and whining about what has happened because that's not who we are. We have and will overcome this and that's how I hope they see us.
Raquel Elizabeth Reyna
Cheerleading (Senior Captain)
What do you enjoy most about being a part of your group, club or team?
I enjoyed the feeling of community and belonging that I had in cheer. It was a group of girls I knew I could trust to help me make the right decisions and help me lead them rightfully.
The end of your final semester of high school has been unique, to say the least. How do you hope you and your classmates have grown, or will grow from this experience?
I hope we learn not to take things for granted.We were all looking forward to senior spring and all the activities and to have that ripped from us kinda tells us that nothing is ever guaranteed.
What is your favorite memory from your senior year and what will you always remember about high school?
My favorite memory was getting to go to Disney with my fellow teammates to compete in our nationals competition.
What teacher or staff member impacted you the most throughout your school years?
Mr. Massey of the English department and Mrs. Lansdell (counselor) helped me through a lot during my mother’s sickness and after she passed away. She was a big pillar in school for me that held me up and she never failed to remind me that I'm loved and she is always here for me.
Samantha Surdek
National Honor Society (President), Student Council (Senior Class Secretary), Science National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Mua Alpha Theta, and English Honor Society
What do you enjoy most about being a part of your group, club or team?
Starting high school can be a nerve-wracking, even daunting, experience. Making friends, passing classes, and fitting in is stressful. In a school with 4,000 students, it's near impossible. However, if the past four years have taught me anything, I realized the importance of putting yourself out there by joining clubs and teams. By joining clubs that interest you, you narrow down a multitude of people into a group of like-minded individuals, which leads to a possibility for new friendships. Suddenly, a big school seems smaller. So, as I enter the next phase of my life, I will find myself in the same position I was four years ago, wondering if I will make friends, pass my classes, or fit in. All of a sudden, the college freshman is asking a high school senior for advice. At least this time, I know I've done it before.
The end of your final semester of high school has been unique, to say the least. How do you hope you and your classmates have grown, or will grow from this experience?
Right now, it's difficult to see how much we've grown. What was once abnormal, is now normal. However, it's obvious that we have all grown in one way: we recognize the importance of friends and social interaction. Since I first went into quarantine, I've been reaching out to friends more, calling to make sure they're okay and seeing how they're doing. But, more importantly, this period of self-isolation causes you to think about where you've gone wrong in past relationships. Personally, I have thought a lot about how I can be a better person and friend. So, whenever I go off to college, I know I'm leaving as the best version of myself. I think over the next year, we will appreciate our friends a little more. After all, our friends aren’t guaranteed.
What is your favorite memory from your senior year and what will you always remember about high school?
At first, it was difficult to pick out a specific memory from senior year. However, I remembered a moment when I was out with my friends at a birthday party. I was having a conversation with someone about senior year. I began telling her how nervous I was about graduating, how I felt that time was going too fast. She told me that she understood and at the beginning of her senior year, she resolved to make the most of every moment with friends and family. Although it may not have mattered much to her, this conversation has always stuck with me. And so, I’ll always remember this last year I spent with my friends and family, enjoying the last moments before college.
What are some of the ways you have seen your classmates, staff and/or community rise to the occasion during this worldwide pandemic?
Over the past week, it is safe to say that our community has taken on the challenge. Rather than wallow in isolation, our school and community have rallied together by finding creative ways to stay connected. For once, looking at social media restores faith in humanity as school organizations reach out to students and encourage school spirit. Our teachers, recognizing the gravity of the situation, are finding new, interesting ways to teach course material. But most importantly, students continue to reach out to each other, checking in on friends to make sure everything is okay. This phenomenon, as unexpected as it is, has brought out the best in our students and teachers.
What teacher or staff member impacted you the most throughout your school years?
If you're ever walking down the 1500 hallway at Flower Mound High School and someone says hi, it's probably Mr. Werts. Mr. Werts seems to have a genuine connection with every person in Flower Mound High School, whether they are his students or not. In the course of any five-minute conversation with him, at least seven other students will come up to say hello, looking for a joke or conversation. For me, Mr. Werts is not only my teacher but my mentor and a friend. He was one of the teachers that took a genuine interest in me, knowing my strengths and my weaknesses before I knew them myself. In between class periods or during lunches, he was always there for conversation which often ranged from current events to philosophy. But most importantly, he exists as a friend for most of us. Available to anyone, he's always there to listen and offer advice.
In the years to come, how do you hope history remembers the Class of 2020 and how you and your classmates reacted to this tough last semester?
I want us to be the class that realized how this pandemic has disproportionately affected people of color and lower socioeconomic status. I want us to be the class that appreciates our healthcare and essential workers while compensating them fairly. I want us to be the class known as the generation of dreamers, doers and achievers. Admittingly, it seems weird to think about this now. But, the future is right around the corner. We just have to face it head-on.
Katherine Elizabeth Timms
Cheer (Freshman and Sophomore Captain)
What do you enjoy most about being a part of your group, club or team?
I loved the friendships I made. The girls on the cheer team are some of my best friends and we really learned and grew together throughout high school. I loved knowing those girls have my back, and no matter what hardships we may face, we will always be there for each other.
The end of your final semester of high school has been unique, to say the least. How do you hope you and your classmates have grown, or will grow from this experience?
I hope we all have a greater appreciation for the little things. I don’t think any of us will ever take for granted another tired Monday morning at school, or another practice that we just don’t have the energy to go to. I think once this is all over we will be more bonded as a class, and ready to give the next chapter of life our all.
What is your favorite memory from your senior year and what will you always remember about high school?
My favorite memory from senior year is the senior night football game. I loved having team dinner with all the seniors who I’d been with for four years, and it was so special to walk across the field with them as they announced our future colleges. We had waited four years for that moment, and it felt so surreal when it finally came. Also, I’ll never forget having my mom at school with me. Since my mom is a teacher at FMHS, it was so special to see her almost every day and to pop into her office whenever I wanted.
What are some of the ways you have seen your classmates, staff and/or community rise to the occasion during this worldwide pandemic?
Lots of senior parents have gotten Class of 2020 signs to put in yards, there have been lots of Instagram and Facebook posts, and there’s been a lot of communication during this time.
What teacher or staff member impacted you the most throughout your school years?
I would say my cheer coach, Coach Pappajohn, has impacted me most during my time in high school. Coach Pappa helped me so much and really took the time to get to know me. It meant a lot to me to know I had someone who cared about me and wanted to see me thrive in cheer and in life.
In the years to come, how do you hope history remembers the Class of 2020 and how you and your classmates reacted to this tough last semester?
I hope history remembers the Class of 2020 as the class who never gave up. I hope we are remembered as staying positive and seeing the bright side through this difficult time.
Lewis Thomas Ward
Varsity Tennis (Captain)
What do you enjoy most about being a part of your group, club or team?
I really enjoy the family aspect of the team. This past year, more than ever before, the team has felt close. Many of us have been on the Varsity team for at least three years and we have grown to appreciate each other’s commitment to tennis and to each other. Every tournament has been memorable, even or especially when the conditions haven’t always been favorable. This has also taught us to appreciate the facilities at FMHS. I enjoyed the trip to Galveston in my junior year, and the trip to Corpus Christi in February. I feel several of us will keep in touch for years to come.
The end of your final semester of high school has been unique, to say the least. How do you hope you and your classmates have grown, or will grow from this experience?
I believe that my classmates and I will become more respectful and appreciative of normalcy, or however close to normalcy we get. It is something that, in my opinion, virtually everyone took for granted, and many lessons are being learned from the situation a worldwide pandemic has put us in. It has shown that the natural way of life isn’t as stable or guaranteed as it felt only a few months ago. Personally, I have enjoyed connecting with friends on FaceTime, here in Flower Mound, and also reconnecting with other friends living in other parts of the world. One of my best friends lives in New Zealand and we have had the opportunity to talk and catch up for hours on end.
What is your favorite memory from your senior year and what will you always remember about high school?
Paradoxically my favorite memory was when I went to Corpus Christi with the tennis team, and was unwell the whole weekend (not with COVID-19 symptoms!). I nevertheless played in the tournament as I did not want to let my doubles partner (Cale Balusek) down. I felt the support of the team, the coaches and especially Cale, as we had to reconfigure our usual game. We went on to win all our matches and by the final match we had also gathered a small support team from other schools.
What teacher or staff member impacted you the most throughout your school years?
The teachers at FMHS have all been incredible and great role models, making it hard to narrow down my top 10. Hacky-sack competitions after physics tests will also be something I am sure I will remember fondly!
What are some of the ways you have seen your classmates, staff and/or community rise to the occasion during this worldwide pandemic?
The other day, I had to pick up my graduation cap, gown, and yard sign. It was a very surreal experience because as I drove into the parking lot to be handed these items, I was greeted by rows and rows of cheering members of staff. The teachers had come out to celebrate our graduation and the effort we have put in not only during the pandemic but throughout high school. It was incredible and given everything that’s happening right now in the world, it was a very welcome show of unity. Thank you to all of the staff of Flower Mound High School! I have also appreciated the messages of support from my tennis coaches, and their particular show of concern for the senior members of the team. The teacher who impacted me most would have to be my tennis coach. I have known Coach Zimmerman since middle school, and despite the size of the team, he has always sought to know and understand each one of us. He has not only helped me build up my tennis game, but he has been a key person in helping build my character into one based around principles of integrity and accountability. He has also helped transform me into more of a leader than I had been before. I also want to give a special shout out for Mr. Fails and Mr. Parsons, both great teachers, and I appreciated their dry sense of humor and perspectives on life.
In the years to come, how do you hope history remembers the Class of 2020 and how you and your classmates reacted to this tough last semester?
I hope that people remember our class as the class that bounced back. Humanity has been thrown into disarray at the hands of the virus, and it has resulted in the class of 2020 losing the personal nature of the celebrations of the completion of our schooling. I want the class of 2020 to come out into the world, whether it is straight into normal life or into college or some other variation, as front runners in the return to normalcy. We have lost a lot because of the quarantine, arguably more than any other age group, so I believe it would only be fitting for us to lead society into the new, post-coronavirus way of life.
Tessa Welch
Texas Association of Future Educators (President)
What do you enjoy most about being a part of your group, club or team?
After being a member of Texas Association of Future Educators (TAFE) for three years, I have created some amazing friendships. I love getting to travel every year to a different area of Texas and compete in events with my friends.
The end of your final semester of high school has been unique, to say the least. How do you hope you and your classmates have grown, or will grow from this experience?
This experience has made me realize how much I enjoyed going to school and socializing with my friends and teachers. Before this pandemic, I took going to school for granted but now I realize how much I enjoyed it.
What is your favorite memory from your senior year and what will you always remember about high school?
My favorite memory from this year was in February, when I got to compete at my last TAFE state competition. I will always remember the friendships I made in high school.
What are some of the ways you have seen your classmates, staff and/or community rise to the occasion during this worldwide pandemic?
FMHS has really stepped up in so many ways. One that means the most to me is making sure that seniors still have graduation. I know many other districts are canceling graduation but LISD has committed to holding graduation for us and for this I am thankful.
What teacher or staff member impacted you the most throughout your school years?
I have had Mrs.Bell as a teacher for all four years of high school. She has impacted my work ethic and passion of becoming an educator. I know I can always come to Mrs. Bell if I need to talk, even if it is not school-related. She is also the TAFE teacher leader, so we have had the opportunity to make some great memories.
Carson Drake Winters
Circle of Friends, English Honor Society, National Honor Society, Young Life
What do you enjoy most about being a part of your group, club or team?
Taking part in school groups has many benefits. One of the most interactive groups is Circle of Friends. No one will ever understand the true joy a human can contain until you involve yourself with these wonderful people. I came to school every day knowing that I would have a smile brought upon my face the instant I walked into that classroom. This joy comes not only from the students but especially the teachers. It’s easy to tell how much each teacher loves their job and wouldn’t trade anything in the world for it. This group constantly has kindness bouncing off the walls to a point where you can’t feel down when you’re around them. It’s extremely inviting and no one will ever feel left out if they join Circle of Friends. I’ll never forget this group and all of the happiness, lessons, and love it has brought upon me.
The end of your final semester of high school has been unique, to say the least. How do you hope you and your classmates have grown, or will grow from this experience?
My classmates and I should take an alternate look at this experience in a way that will help us in the future. This experience proves to us that we need to enjoy every moment and not take anything for granted because we never know when something will end. I hope my classmates and I can also now understand what it means to persevere and get through these tough times because life will not always be easy. We need to now be fully prepared for obstacles like these in the future, so that they will not have as colossal of an effect. It’s still definitely hard knowing that our high school career is over, but we need to look at how blessed we are. Some people never even got to experience high school. There are far more people worse off than us, so we need to be more thankful for that.
What is your favorite memory from your senior year and what will you always remember about high school?
My favorite memory from my senior year of high school is the first touchdown I scored in our first football game against Keller Fossil Ridge. It was a great feeling that after my life-threatening injury in spring ball the year prior, so many people doubted that I’d even play again, and I had the opportunity to prove them wrong. Pushing myself to put on 50 pounds of muscle in three months, amidst going from unable to hold down food and water. While also going from hospital bed-bound to running sprints into a full-contact sport. The best feeling in the world is achieving the impossible. I’ll always remember the great relationships I made with the staff and coaches, they are definitely some of the nicest people I’ve ever met in my life. I’ll also remember that my Flower Mound High School community has my back like no others.
What are some of the ways you have seen your classmates, staff and/or community rise to the occasion during this worldwide pandemic?
I’ve definitely seen a greater uprising in the care for others. It is awesome to see so many people checking in on everyone to make sure everything is okay. I also love how kind-hearted the staff has been to our seniors, for example, the curbside pickup for Jostens was a heartwarming experience to see all of the staff I love again. I also enjoy how united everyone is to stop this pandemic. I have never been able to witness such a massive group working together at once, it’s quite amazing to witness the powers we can achieve with unity. Our community needs to stay strong and safe during this time and be optimistic of the outcome. If we stay working together, great things will happen in our future. I can’t wait to have everyone healthy and back to normal again, as well as come back to visit FMHS again!
What teacher or staff member impacted you the most throughout your school years?
The most influential teacher to me through my high school career was Coach Grantham (Offensive Coordinator of FMHS Football). I’ll never forget when he came to visit me in the hospital and held my hand and just watched me. You could tell in his eyes that he related to me in a way that no one else could due to a similar traumatic experience disrupting his football career. Coach Grantham is a perfect role model and I aspire to be like him when I grow up. He treated me like a son and I will never forget our relationship. If anyone wants their son to be a great father when they’re older, talk to Coach Grantham. Even though at times, during practice he would deliver confidence-shattering yells, I know he did it because he loved me, just as he does everyone else. I love you, Coach G.
In the years to come, how do you hope history remembers the Class of 2020 and how you and your classmates reacted to this tough last semester?
I hope that history remembers the class of 2020 as the class of perseverance. Even though it is very tough knowing we won’t be going back to high school again, we will move forward to achieve more goals we have set for our future. History needs to remember us as an example to never take anything for granted. People need to see what happened to us and have a better look at school and life overall. Everyone should look at this as a lesson to not just do things to complete them, but “enjoy the ride” and appreciate the experience along the way. Students need to understand that high school really doesn’t last as long as it looks, especially if it ends before it is supposed to. The world needs to look at the class of 2020 and take this time to prepare for something like this to never happen again.
Julia Young
Varsity Volleyball, Spanish Honor Society (President)
What do you enjoy most about being a part of your group, club or team?
Being a part of the volleyball team made me some of the funniest memories of my life, and I met my best friends while playing with them. We work hard on the court because we love the sport and all the wins feel amazing because we earned them.
The end of your final semester of high school has been unique, to say the least. How do you hope you and your classmates have grown, or will grow from this experience?
We are so mad that after 3.5 years of grinding, the super fun section of high school got stolen from us. It’s such a sad feeling, but I hope that instead of complaining about what we missed, we can look back on the good times we still got to have together.
See more from the Class of 2020 by visiting the LISD Senior Spotlights.