Junior rising to challenge of multiple involvements

Junior Kaydence Hayes has mastered the art of balancing school, extracurricular activities and working on top of a worthwhile social life. Hayes, who works around 10 hours a week at Pita Pit, uses her time wisely by bringing her studies with her to work in hopes of multitasking. Choir and theater take up most of her time after school, so her job occupies her time on the weekends. 

Hayes has an extraordinary record of advanced classes. This semester she took on the workload of APUSH, Honors Algebra and Honors Spanish. Next semester looks even more chaotic with the addition of AP Government and HCC Comp to her schedule. 

“It is difficult a lot, especially during time periods where all the tests are at once, but once you’re in a group, where you’re all taking the same classes with the same kids. You kind of grow into a family,” she said. 

Hayes said finals week has been really difficult for her. She said it can be very easy to completely lose all motivation. “It’s also really motivating, though, to get things done, so I just keep that mindset,” she said. 

She makes things easier by prioritizing her classes that align with the finals schedule. “I personally like to write down the material. I take a lot of notes,” Hayes said. Hayes did say when things get entirely too overwhelming, she will set time aside and take a mental break. She said it’s a big relief knowing she can turn to her family and friends when things get stressful. 

To prepare herself for college, Hayes registered for multiple academy-level classes. “I would say APUSH has helped me the most to prepare for college, especially with the workload and studying on my own. I kind of hope that AP Government will have that same type of feel,” she said. 

Some would even consider Hayes to be somewhat of a prodigy, with her 4.15 GPA as evidence. “I still need to figure out what I want to do, but I consider myself prepared for college. I mean, I have the work ethic for it and all,” she said. The University of Iowa is the school Hayes is leaning toward; however, plans may change in the near future. 

Hayes receives letters from neighboring colleges from time to time. “I just get a bunch of emails. If it’s from a really nice college, and they’re like ‘Hey! Apply here. It’s really nice,’ but then I realize I can’t actually afford it,” 

Hayes points to her teachers such as social studies teacher Jeremiah Longnecker and Spanish instructor Hilary LaMasters. “They’re just two really good people I appreciate being around,” she said. She said she’s also going to miss her current English class once the semester is over. 

Hayes said she would tell incoming high schoolers, not knowing what to expect, to walk into high school with a lot of ease. “You probably will know a lot more than you think,” she said.