By the time you get to junior year, you are supposed to have found your place in high school and have an idea of your future calling. Even if you have discovered this, plans change.

Life can throw curveballs; colleges that may work with your academics may not work with you extracurriculars.

With the year coming to an end, we asked some juniors what effect their passions had on them and whether or not they will continue into college. When talking about passions, these students went into detail about how the specific activity has helped them grow as a student and as a person.

Jacqueline Baker (Band)

Do you plan on continuing band in college?

I haven’t decided if I want to continue playing, but if I did stop playing when I got into college I know that I would feel as if there is a gap. I almost have an attachment to my instrument and if I stopped I would almost feel as if I left a friend. The more I’ve thought about it, the more I want to do it on the side and majoring in something else.

Do the performances/competitions/events of this year affect you want to practice more, develop yourself as a leader, or quit?

The performances that took place this year make me want to have a great year next year. I know that I want to be a good leader for the incoming band members just like mine was for me. The most important part I think is showing how important band is, how much people enjoy it, and that if they follow a good leader then they will learn to love it too and sooner or later then it will be just as important to them.

What is your biggest takeaway from this year that will impact you decisions next year and farther in the future?

I learned a lot from it and it will impact my future in a big way, because it’s taught me how to work with other people and put forward my best efforts.

Natalie Knowles (ROTC)

Do you plan on continuing ROTC-like activities in college?

I am striving for an AFROTC scholarship.

Do the performances/competitions/events of this year affect you want to practice more, develop yourself as a leader, or quit?

The events of this year have challenged me and others to become better leaders. It makes me strive to be better and work harder.

What is your biggest takeaway from this year that will impact you decisions next year and farther in the future?

My biggest takeaway from JROTC is the family and friendships made these past years. JROTC is a unified family that will be with me for years to come.

Alissa Haddock (Drama)

Do you plan on continuing drama in college?

I think I differently see what opportunities I could gain with it and I may do some shows in college but not like a future career.

Do the performances/competitions/events of this year affect you want to practice more, develop yourself as a leader, or quit?

Oh yes, Drama club pushes you to be a leader at times. You have all these friends from drama club and you don’t want to let them down, so you work hard to become a better tech person and performer . Before you know it, with all your knew skills you learned, you begin to teach the next generation.

What is your biggest takeaway from this year that will impact you decisions next year and farther in the future?

The part I took away is what drama has done for people. You will see kids who are shy and quiet start to laugh and crack jokes. Some kids have been left out because of the weird sense of humor, but when they come to drama club they fit in perfectly.  When I see kids change like that, it is hard not to realize that everyone has somewhere they belong even if they are just a little weird

Emma Credille (Color Guard)

Do you plan on continuing guard in college?

I want to, but the college i’m going to doesn’t have a guard. (Butler)

Do the performances/competitions of this year affect your wanting to practice more, develop yourself as a leader — or quit?

Guard is always about making something that you do good now better in the future. There will always be something in guard that I need to improve on, whether it be spinning or my leadership skills. That is why we take so much time into what we do so we can be the best we can be for the competitions.

What is your biggest takeaway from this year that will impact your decisions next year and further in the future?

Staying motivated and focusing on what I can do to make the team better. Pushing us to the best that we can and give it all to the judges and directors.