Throughout our high school journey, there are certainly many students who are top of their class and perform their utmost best due to their great dreams. Alizeya Duran, a dedicated senior, is definitely one of them, and there are many clear reasons why.
Duran is an incredible and high-achieving student at Speer Academy, showing great performance in her studies and extracurriculars all across the board. Besides her many AP courses and Dual Credit English class this school year, she is also enrolled in Psychology 201 at Wilbur Wright College, her class soon ending in just a few weeks where she will receive college credit for the course, as well as an advantage and exposure most high school students do not get. In fact, she has many other experiences that many students do not have. In school, she is currently a member of Speer’s student council, senior committee, and the founding class of Speer’s Yearbook and Newspaper class. In these organizations, she performs as a leader to other students and helps put together many events, fundraisers, and expectations here at our school. Her commitment for the past three years shows her dedication and excitement to make our school a better and united environment for all students. Furthermore, she has volunteered at many children’s hospitals and is a summer volunteer at the Field Museum, where she guides guests and excites them about the fascinating scenery around them while she learns to communicate with different people and builds strong relationships with instructors.
As a student with extraordinary goals and even greater dedication, Duran has built a strong foundation for herself as she will soon head off to college the following school year, where she plans to major in a pre-med or nursing program. Essentially, Duran dreams to pursue a career as a nurse anesthetist. This is one of her greatest dreams as she wants to create an impact on many lives by providing safety and comfort that many patients do not typically receive. She first fell in love with this profession at her Summer of a Lifetime pre-med program at the University of Connecticut because she immediately understood the content and how to perform well in this difficult field. To her, having a life-changing impact on someone’s life means the world to her, which is why she is now gathering as much experience as she can to reach her goals and prove her strong dedication no matter any circumstances.
I interviewed Duran and asked her a few questions about her high school experience and goals.
What’s an entertainment piece that has stuck with you throughout high school?
“I would say musicals. I love musicals. I think they help me a lot with my stuff, especially historical musicals like Hamilton.”
What best motivates you when you are feeling burnt out?
“What motivates me is the end. When it’s over honestly. I push through until I get to the end and then I get to the end, and I’m like, I made it. I just keep chipping away, as Mr. Moebus says.”
How do you manage your time during busy time periods?
“I manage by using a calendar, using a planner. I personally use one on my phone, and the reason why I use it on my phone is because everyone’s on their phones so much, so it’s better to keep important stuff on there. And I manage it by time management as well, so if I have a free slot, I add this and that.”
What advice would you give to the lowerclassmen?
“I would say it gets easier. Honestly, education is key for a better life. If you don’t prioritize your education right now, you won’t get far in life.”
