- School District U-46
- Class of 2022
- Top 2 Percent
Sarah Leardi
What are your post-high school plans?
I plan to attend Fontbonne University in St. Louis! I'll be majoring in biology for Pre-Chiropractic medicine, with a potential minor in Women's and Gender Studies. I've also signed with them to be on their competitive dance team.
What is the most important thing you learned in high school?
The most important thing I learned in high school is that you can do anything, but you can't do everything! I often stretched myself too thin between homework, extracurriculars, and eventually a job, and I now have a much better concept of my limits - how much I can take on at once and still be able to give 100% of myself to.
What is your favorite high school memory?
My sophomore year, I was in Larkin's Jazz Lab big band. We took a field trip to The Jazz Showcase in downtown Chicago, which is a famous club that has been popularized by many big-name professional musicians over the decades. We got to perform there, and the rich history of that venue has always made me grateful to have been given that opportunity.
What was your favorite class or learning experience?
My favorite class was AP Environmental Science. My teacher, Mrs. Fowler, inspired me with her deep passion for science and the environment, and there was never a lesson or a lab that I wasn't absolutely fascinated by! Because of my experience in that class, I'm going to strive to be more environmentally conscious in the future!
Share your best advice for incoming freshmen:
Learn about setting boundaries. Knowing how much you can or can't handle, whether it's from homework, friends, parents, sports, etc. is so important for your mental health and academic success. It's important to remember that you're never a bad or weak person for saying no to something you aren't comfortable with, asking for help, or needing an accommodation.
What or who do you acknowledge for your academic success, and ranking in the top 2 percent of your senior class?
I'm not sure I can pinpoint one single person or experience, but I do know that my Mom has always been a productive, responsible, person and an avid reader, and she pushed me to read and learn all I could when I was younger. Her passion for knowledge definitely influenced mine, and helped me stay motivated throughout high school!
What life lessons or observations have you gained about yourself, and the world, during the 2021-22 school year?
The school year taught me a lot about intrinsic motivation. Being stuck at home all the time had me questioning why I was doing things. I wanted to keep studying so that I wouldn't be behind if we got back in person. I wanted to keep playing music so my skills wouldn't waver. I wanted to keep dancing so I had a therapeutic outlet. I didn't have the excitement of seeing friends and teachers every day, so looking for those new motivators made me a more grateful and self-aware student.