It is important for high school students to be involved in their school community. Students can learn new skills, build meaningful connections, and grow as people over time. As the end of the year comes, seniors can reflect back on their experiences and see their growth. Jessamine Schmidt, a senior at Wheeling Park High School and (most notably) a Copy Editor on the Park Press, is a perfect example of this. During her time at Wheeling Park, she has developed her interests and built meaningful relationships that have shaped her into the person she is today.
Jessamine is heavily involved in a variety of activities at Park. Between being on the debate team, girls golf team, girls lacrosse team, and YLA, she keeps a busy schedule. Jessamine’s range of activities has expanded during her time in high school. “I would say I branched out more in my upperclassmen years,” said Jessamine. “As a freshman, I was a little scared and confined to just my academics, but I realized that participating is so important.”
With involvement comes experience. Each activity teaches new lessons and skills that will be used beyond it. Jessamine believes she has learned meaningful lessons from her activities. “I would say it’s never too late [to join an activity],” said Jessamine. “I joined golf in my junior year and lacrosse just this year, and now I’m going to the college level. It’s never too late to start something new, I just kept trying and I got it.”
With involvement comes connection. Sports, classes, and extracurricular activities bring students with common interests together to help each other succeed in their activities. Through these connections, new friendships and relationships are built. Jessamine reflected on the relationships she built in high school, “I would say I’ve made a lot of friends here at the Park,” said Jessamine. “I try to talk to everyone and try to make everyone laugh. I met my current boyfriend, Kameron Dietrich, and one of my closest friends, Jana Schodzinski.”
Jana Schodzinski is a senior at Wheeling Park High School and one of Jessamine’s best friends. When reflecting on the start of their friendship, Jana said, “Jessamine and I actually first met in middle school through a mutual friend, but it wasn’t until freshman year of high school that we ended up growing closer in DG. What stood out about Jessamine and my friendship is that when I first came to Wheeling Park High School, I didn’t know anyone, and at times, I felt really alone. Jessamine was always there to help me feel included. She has always stepped up as a friend for me.”
Their friendship has strengthened through their shared activities, such as the debate team, holiday caroling club, and YLA. Jana appreciates Jessamine how she and Jessamine have grown together in their time at Park. “Jessamine is always willing to step up as a friend whenever you need one, no matter who you are, how close you are to her, or what the circumstances are.”said Jana. “If it wasn’t for Jessamine, I truly would feel lost here at Wheeling Park High School. Jessamine allowed me to make new friends, strengthen old connections, and always feel welcomed. For that, I will always be thankful.”
With involvement comes growth. High school is the perfect time for teenagers to explore their interests and build a good foundation for their future. As they near the end of their senior year, they stop and reflect on the milestones they have achieved and the people that have grown into them. Jessamine remembered just how much she’s changed from when she first entered high school, “I would say I’m much more confident than I was my freshman year,” said Jessamine. “It was difficult and scary, but over time, I gradually became more comfortable.”
Jessamine plans to attend Bethany College for an English Literature major and a criminal justice minor. She is also playing golf at the collegiate level. The Press has zero doubt concerning her future.
