20 | BALANCE OF EXCELLENCE um laude inductee, Greg Hays says, “I’ve always had a very strong work ethic. I like to get stuff done.” Coming to HIES as a fifth grader, when he looks back on his strongest memories he remembers the first convocation in Upper School. “There was something about that moment being in that convocation that everybody was chatting about afterwards that really, pushed into reality. The fact that... we’re growing up and we have four years of high school left where... we’re growing into our older selves,” Hays said. Now that those four years are over, he is endlessly appreciative of the opportunities and memories shared at “Holy Innocents’, the place where I grew up.” Hays recognizes his privilege, motivated by the desire to not waste his potential. “I want to take full advantage of the opportunities I’ve been presented with and use them for not only the benefit of myself, but my friends, my family and everyone around me,” Hays said. Despite his love for all things economics, the course he has found most valuable was AP Lang with Mrs. Simpson. “I was definitely -- my capabilities and abilities there. But it really pushed me. And, you know, I definitely learned. My struggles in that class set me up to learn the most for the future,” he said. Hays will be attending Washington and Lee, his first choice, in the fall, where he plans to study economics.
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GREG HAYS
ACADE nsley Diaz moved to Atlanta in the seventh grade, but her exemplary performance in the classroom started long before HIES. Diaz says that she has always been a stellar student, and her record shows that she’s also accomplished many things outside of the classroom. Diaz is within the top ten percent in the senior class, won a basketball state championship, and placed fifth in the state in discus. While some may struggle with balancing sports she finds it to help with her academics, “I think that playing a sport after school made me more motivated to finish my school work than when I wasn’t in season,” she said. “It put me into a strict routine and gave me a nice break in between the school day and homework.” Despite her dedication to success, Diaz does make mistakes. “My biggest obstacle is a lack of motivation,” she said. “Sometimes I forget the bigger picture and what I’m working towards in high school, and that’s when my academics become more challenging.” This is not unexpected. With the end of the year rapidly approaching, like all seniors, she can sometimes lose sight and begin to lose motivation. Although, it is when she thinks about her collegiate goals, or that subtle feeling of pride over getting a good grade that Diaz remembers what’s important. Diaz’s focus and drive are what led to her success at HIES, and will be what sets her apart wherever she goes.
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ANSLEY DIAZ
