By Amanda Tennant, staff writer
In the five years since Indian Trail High School and Academy opened as a comprehensive campus, the class of 2015 has done an outstanding job of truly defining what it means to be a Hawk. This class, in the four years they have been at ITHS&A, has blazed new trails, soared to new heights, and has displayed worthy leadership from music and sports to academics and clubs. Because of this influence, many underclassmen have had excellent role models throughout their time in high school. I was no different.
Here is a tribute to a few graduating seniors that have influenced my high school career.
The first senior that was a major influence in my high school life is Andi Bak- kala. She influenced me through her leadership and musicianship in band. In her time in band, she has always been extremely dedicated to mastering her instrument as well as playing to the best of her ability. Not only does she have great skills as a musician, but also she set a great example as to what a section leader should be. If anyone has a question about a note or was struggling with a certain passage of the music, she was always there to help and to give advice. Her help and guidance has really shaped the Indian Trail High School and Academy clarinet section to be the best it can be.
Another influential senior is Chris Shea. This year Chris was our Editor at The Pulse and was deservingly so. He has so much potential as a journalist. He is so
well informed about world events and has such a decisive way of writing about them in his articles that they are informational as well as insightful. Not only is he a talented writer, but he is perhaps the wittiest person I have ever known. He has an amusing remark to everything and is extremely quick about his comebacks. He always tells it how it is and is never afraid to be himself. With his influence, The Pulse has really thrived this year and he has inspired everyone to write to the best of their ability.
The last senior I would like to mention is Madeline Schmidt. Madeline is one of the first friends I made during my high school career. After sitting next to each other in band for a year, we started talking and hanging out and as a result, became really good friends. It would always be so fun to hang out with her whether it was in band or just hanging at the movies. On top of being that, she would also always help me out with dilemmas such as class schedules and grades as well as advice on how to approach certain classes. If I was confused about certain aspects of a project or homework, she would give me ideas to break the ice like a good upperclassman. With her friendship, my time at Indian Trail has been a lot more fun and easier.
These are just a few people that have influenced Indian Trail in a positive manner. With the class of 2015’s leadership and guidance, they have taught many underclassmen how to soar and thrive at Indian Trail.