With just a few months remaining in the second semester, Shadow Hills High School seniors are navigating the high-stress period of college applications and final exams while juggling heavy extracurricular loads.
Dahlia Iosza, a varsity sprinter and long jump record holder for the track and field team, has tailored her senior year to prepare for her future career.
“I am taking CP English, anatomy, financial literature, government, art, and also Spanish,” Iosza said. “I am planning on being a physical therapist and I am trying to major in kinesiology.”
Iosza said she manages her dual role as a student-athlete by maximizing her time during the school day.
“I normally try to finish all my work in class and be on top of all my classes and for track,” she explained. “I try to stay consistent with just putting as much effort I can into being great education-wise and physically.”
Despite her success, the finish line feels far away. “It’s so long and I just want this semester to be over already. I cannot wait to graduate,” Iosza added.
ASB Senior President Larissa Lopez shares a similar workload but a different outlook. Lopez is enrolled in dual enrollment English and psychology, math 4, sculpture, economics, government, and dance.
“I am in ASB and on the dance team inside of school and outside of school,” Lopez said. “I don’t do anything else because ASB and dance take up my entire life.”
Lopez uses digital to-do lists and a physical planner to stay organized. While the pressure is high, she said the reality of leaving high school hasn’t fully set in.
“Lowkey, this last semester of school hasn’t hit yet because I am still very optimistic about it,” Lopez said. “But I think once I realize it’s my last three months of high school, then I will be a little sad. Right now, I feel pretty good; just a little stressed out.”
For Senior Interact Club President Rihanna Mendoza, the semester is a test of endurance. Mendoza, who has been in the club since her sophomore year, said the responsibility of leadership is a “stressor and a destressor” at the same time.
“It’s stressful to organize [events], get everything together… deadlines…,” Mendoza said.
To combat a recent lack of motivation, Mendoza has begun dedicating specific days to catching up on work so she can focus on her club duties without falling behind.
“This second semester is so stressful and there’s just so much going on,” Mendoza said. “Senior activities, college deadlines, scholarship deadlines, everything is getting put on the back burner for me.”
Ultimately, Mendoza said the effort is worth the reward. “I feel like I’ve fulfilled myself,” she said, noting that giving back to the community is a wise use of her time.
