2021 Graduates 🎓

Brea Gaston 

These past four years of high school has definitely been a journey. I’ve overcame so much in physical mental and emotional health. Just to be able to come out on top. Life has not been all sugar cookies and rainbows especially going through high school. You’re going to have days that are just horrible but you also are going to have days where are you going to keep in your core memories. Going through high school has definitely taught me a lot about life and has prepared me to go in to the next step of my journey. As you guys might know by the picture I am going to Illinois State University I’m going to be getting my Bachelors in kinesiology in exercise science. Then after that I’ll be going through a 15 month program to get my bachelors in nursing so I can become a nurse practitioner. Once this step of my life is complete you guys might actually see me on a couple of magazines . Maybe on vogue for getting a double bachelors and going into nursing and of course looking pretty LOL. I just want to give a special thanks to the Preston T Ross mentoring center for helping me through this journey for guiding me through this journey. They have definitely been there since my freshman year and help me get through a lot of tough times and also help me get through a lot of things for school. Now that I’m going through the next step I want to give some advice for someone that might be in my shoes one day keep your head up and stay proud and positive. Because at the end of the day you need to have yourself to lean back on but it’s extra special when you have others.

Quincy Waiters

This year has been very interesting for me. In many ways, it was a challenge having to change and adjust many aspects due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Virtually everything about life was different, and as a result, I missed out on a number of experiences that I had been looking forward to during my senior year. 

I started playing the trumpet in elementary school and played all four years at Marian Catholic High School.  I played in the Jazz band, and Marching band.  I maintained a GPA of 3.8. My band had a trip to Florida planned for this year, as well as a number of competitions, but all of that was unfortunately canceled. Along with that, I missed a number of school activities, such as Homecoming, both the dance and the football game, and our usual senior night at six flags. This was very saddening at first, but through the year I learned to adjust and find the good within the situation. The smaller class sizes brought me closer to many people and allowed me to learn a lot more about myself, others, and each of my subjects in school. The year was definitely a struggle, but it brought me a lot more good than I would have ever thought. I have also been a mentee in the Preston T. Ross, Jr. Mentoring Program and I appreciate all of the help and caring they have shown me.   

My future plans include attending U. of I. Champaign in the Fall.  I will major in Community Health-Sports Medicine.  I am looking forward to the next adventures in my life.