SKY STOCKTON

I NEVER THOUGHT I’D BE THE KID WHO PEAKED IN HIGH SCHOOl.

In fact, I spent four years fighting to escape that stereotype—every homework assignment, every late night working, and every test went by with that fear crawling in the back of my mind. For a while, high school was just a to-do list, each task another step toward my end goal of outliving Saint Joe. Study. Graduate. Never look back. 

Then I realized high school football games were kind of fun. I figured out I liked messing around with a camera a lot more than I liked doing Physics homework, and decided that maybe it was okay to loosen up a little. And for the longest time, I felt guilty for having fun in high school. I was terrified that admitting I enjoyed myself meant admitting to have peaked, accepting my fate as nothing more than a high school certificate. 

But you know what? If “peaking in high school” means making the most of my four years in Saint Joe, I’ll take it—because whoever said we only get one peak in life was wrong. Life should be full of moments where we’re convinced it can’t possibly get any better, full of peaks. I can’t wait for what the future holds, but I won’t let it keep me from looking back every now and then, reminiscing on days in Mr. Miesse’s class or nights driving with my friends.

So honestly, maybe I did peak in high school. And maybe I’ll peak in college, in my 20’s, in my 30’s, and when I’m sitting in the rocking chair of a retirement home, talking about how good it was to be eighteen.

Here’s to hoping, Saint Joe.

Who was your favorite teacher?

Mrs. Klus or Mr. Miesse

How would you describe high school in one word?

An adventure

What are your plans next year?

I’ll be majoring in film production at the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts in Los Angeles.

How do you feel about the future?

Excited—so excited.