Elayna Hayden (11) is a staffer for the yearbook, but she wants to become an editor next year for her senior year. She would have been one this year if she had room in her schedule to do so. With her not being an editor this year, it was the best thing for her.
“I didn’t have enough room in my schedule to become an editor and take an editor’s hour,” Hayden said. “This actually turned out to be the best thing for me, especially this year, because my class load is extremely heavy.”
Balancing school with yearbook, wasn’t a struggle this year for Hayden. With her being in yearbook since her freshman year, she knew when deadlines were and what periods were most challenging, but she was able to prioritize it.
“Since being in yearbook since my freshman year, I knew when our deadlines were and what periods of the year were the most hectic, so I was able to prioritize yearbook when I really needed to based on this prior experience,” Hayden said.
Hayden’s favorite memory from all three years would be the Philadelphia convention she went to in her sophomore year.
“My favorite memory from yearbook would definitely be the Philadelphia convention we went to my sophomore year,” Hayden said. “I have made more friends in yearbook at the start of my sophomore year, so being able to take a trip with all of them was the ultimate highlight. Even though we were only gone for around five days, we packed so many different activities that it made the trip seem to last two weeks. My favorite part of the trip would be hanging out with all of my friends in one of our rooms after the crazy, long days we had and just debriefing and reminiscing.”
Throughout Hayden’s three years in yearbook, she would say that it is possible for someone to overcome a challenge they had to face.
“What I’ve seen throughout my three years in yearbook, I would say that it is nearly impossible for someone not to overcome a challenge they face,” Hayden said. “Personally speaking, I struggle with time management in and out of the yearbook room. I always believe that I have more time than I do, so I choose to procrastinate rather than just get it done the day it is assigned. I feel as though this struggle has improved a lot, and I do have yearbook to thank for that because of its fast-paced environment and wide variety of helpful people.”
When Hayden grows up, she wants to study wildlife conservation and animal behavior because it has been her passion since she was little.
“When I grow up, I want to study wildlife conservation and animal behavior. Learning about caring for the environment and animals has been a passion of mine since I was little,” Hayden said. “This passion stems from different experiences I’ve had. I’ve gone to plenty of rescue centers for animals like seals and turtles. I have swum with sea lions, and I did tricks in the water with beluga whales. I have also rescued every hurt animal that I’ve found in my yard as well.”
In all, after being in yearbook for three years, Hayden has learned many different life skills that will help her better prepare for her future.
