SENIORS

(From left to right) Daniel Maliekal, Kiah Smith and Emily Scheibler are all attending college outside of the U.S. Maliekal is going to the University of Toronto at Scarborough in Canada; Smith will be attending the University of Plymouth in England; and Scheibler is going to Franklin University of Switzerland.

Other schools abroad, such as Scheibler’s and Maliekal’s schools, use the Common App. Scheibler stressed the notion that applying to international schools is not really as difficult as people might think.

“It’s a lot easier than you think it’s going to be,” she expressed. “More schools are on the Common App than you may realize, and the cost is similar to many American schools. People shouldn’t be as tentative to [apply]. It sounds scary but it’s worth it.”

All three expressed profound excitement for their futures abroad, despite the obstacles they faced. Covid-19 proved to be another challenge for Smith when applying, and Maliekal is still in the process of getting dual citizenship in order to get in-state tuition. Scheibler is wary of the cultural differences that come with being at an international school.

The physical distance away from home is another common obstacle in going to a school abroad. However, for both Smith and Maliekal, going outside of the U.S. for college is actually bringing them closer to their families. Smith moved to Libertyville from England seven years ago, and most of her family lives in England. Maliekal will be able to see his mom’s side of the family more often.

Contrasting this, Scheibler will be moving far away from her family and her home here.

“It was hard for [my family] to grapple with the fact that I’m literally moving across the world, and it was scary for them at first,”

Scheibler explained. “But now, they’re really supportive about it!”

In the end, regardless of any roadblocks on their paths to their schools, Maliekal, Scheibler and Smith are enthusiastic about their commitments to their schools. Scheibler loved that she would be able to travel the world through a program at her school. Maliekal’s school is his mother’s alma mater, and he is excited about participating in the University of Toronto’s business program. Smith is thrilled to be returning home to England, as well as surfing and scuba diving in Plymouth.

“I’m looking forward to moving back home, being able to see my family more and being able to re-immerse myself into the English culture,” Smith said.

Ryan Allen (left) and James Steinhaus are attending college with ROTC scholarships. Allen will be going to the University of Illinois at Chicago through the Naval ROTC program. Steinhaus will be attending the University of Illinois through the ROTC program. will be studying criminal justice at Liberty University while training to become an army officer through classes and field training. Allen will be participating in training to become a naval officer as he pursues electrical engineering at University of Illinois at Chicago. Both Steinhaus and Allen were inspired by their own family members to join the military. They both learned a lot from and were influenced by their grandfathers who served. Steinhaus said he always knew he wanted to serve, and going to a military school for first semester this school year in New Mexico solidified his decision. Allen had an interest

Training for the Military: in the Navy from when he was young, and

Another path for students graduating his father, who was in the Air Force, also from high school to follow is to join the inspired him to go into the military. military. There are many avenues to get “I’ve always liked the water,” Allen reinvolved in the military, such as enlisting marked. “I like being on boats, submarines right out of high school, applying to service and aircraft carriers. I’ll enjoy experiencing academies or applying to Reserve Officers’ new things out at sea while also working Training Corps (ROTC) programs. Seniors with a team representing my country.” James Steinhaus and Ryan Allen will be part Both Steinhuas and Allen are looking forof the ROTC program, and both having ward to training to become military officers received ROTC scholarships. Steinhaus is as they also continue their education. doing Army ROTC and Allen will be in the “I’m excited to just see where I’ll be, what Naval ROTC. I learn and who I become in the future,”

Through the ROTC program, Steinhaus Steinhaus said. MAY 2021 17

Parting Words:

Advice Seniors Have for Underclassmen

Jazzy Lafita

Lyann Tam

Jade Foo

Throughout their four years at Libertyville High School, seniors have been able to gain knowledge and experience about a variety of topics. As they prepare to graduate, eight seniors shared advice they have for underclassmen, based on their time in high school.

Academic

Desi Nainar: “Don’t procrastinate too much and always try to work ahead . . . [Make sure to] take breaks in the middle of doing homework because some nights, it can be a lot.”

Rachel Erdmann: “[When doing homework], have something that takes [you] out of the mentality of wanting to go talk to people or some other activity, like listening to something, [like music].”

Matthew Shinnick: “Always try to work as hard as [you] can in classes, clubs and sports . . . Work with resources you have, like . . . talking to teachers outside of class or going to the MASH.”

Beckett Abington: “Work with others to help get a new mindset or take on how to attack a problem . . . You can have a good collaboration of different ideas that help you strengthen the final results in the final product.”

Vir Trivedi: “[Take] time to review [your notes] every night. Be sure to stay on top of your homework, and . . . don’t ever be afraid to ask your teachers questions.”

Annalese Chudy: “Time management skills always help . . . Laying out [your] schedule and [what] you need to do every day.”

Emma Bleck: “Have someone to explain [topics you don’t understand] to you. Going into office hours or . . . talking to a teacher [can be very helpful]. They’re [both] really good resources. Emotional

Nainar: “Use the resources available to [you]. All the teachers here are really supportive and helpful if you ever need, [along with] LSTs and the CRC.”

Erdmann: “Having certain people, activities or [organizations] be your outlet [is extremely helpful].”

Kellie Hopper: “Don’t get worried. Don’t worry about all of the academics or the social events, or all the different things in your life. It’ll work out how it’s supposed to work out. And don’t feel like you need to [do] every single thing; do what you want to do. Make your own path for yourself . . . and do what’s best for you and everything will work out.”

Rachel Erdmann

Photo courtesy of Rachel Erdmann

Desi Nainar

Matthew Shinnick

Shinnick: “A common piece of advice [about high school] is . . . ‘don’t let yourself change’ . . . It’s honestly terrible advice. You’re going to change in high school, and that’s one of the best things about it and the whole point of it . . . Focus on how you want to change, the people you want to surround yourself with, and the ways you want to be different in the years to come.” 18 DROPS OF INK

Trivedi: “You’ve got to prioritize your mental health over work sometimes and get in touch with yourself and see how you’re doing and how you can address your own issues and your own shortcomings.”