After transferring to Hidden Valley High School as a junior, senior Izzy Hendricks is ready to graduate and take the next step in her life. A reporter for the Titan Times since arriving at Hidden Valley, she also participated in the journalism program at her previous school.
Though she attended Faith Christian School for middle school and part of high school, Hendricks said her time at Hidden Valley is filled with meaningful memories.
“My favorite high school memory was junior prom and after-prom,” she said. “It was such a fun night with my friends, and I loved my dress.”
The friendships Hendricks formed during her time at Hidden Valley played a big role in her experience.
“The friends I made this year in particular made a huge impact on me,” she said. “As the year went on, I started to cut ties with friendships that weren’t serving me and forge new ones. The friend group I was able to be a part of immediately took me in and motivated me to be more myself than I had been in prior friendships.”
Among the staff, she said Nurse Shores made the biggest impact on her.
“I could go in there whenever I needed to talk or get advice,” she said.
High school wasn’t always easy for Hendricks. If she could give advice to her freshman self, it would be to stay focused and avoid unnecessary stress.
“Show up to school,” she said. “It’s not worth it to not be able to take rest days senior year just because you skipped and messed around. Also, avoid drama—it really doesn’t matter at the end of the day.”
Some of her proudest moments came from overcoming challenges.
“I was most proud of participating in soccer because, despite adversities I faced, I made it through the season and worked hard,” she said.
Looking ahead, Hendricks is excited for a fresh start. She will attend East Tennessee State University in the fall, where she plans to study chemistry and pursue her passion for medicine by earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
