By Wayne E. Rivet

Staff Writer

High school is full of teaching moments.

One unexpected lesson due to COVID-19 for the Class of 2020 was never take anything for granted. One minute, the focus was getting ready for the school play, the upcoming spring sports season, what to wear for Prom, and other much-anticipated end-of-the-year events and celebrations.

COVID-19 put the brakes on most of these events.

Students were pressed to be versatile in their learning. They had to overcome unexpected disappointment. And, they discovered ways to adjust, cope and persevere.

This Sunday, the LR Class of 2020 will celebrate their graduation with a different twist. The event — limited to graduates and their immediate family (see sidebar story) — will take place at the Bridgton Drive-In Theater. Lake Region High School’s Top 3 — valedictorian Eleina Sturk, salutatorian Julia Murch and Honor Essayist Ellery Hunt — will give prepared addresses.

This week, The News reached out to the top academic students and asked their thoughts on what it took to be successful in their academic pursuits, what challenges they had to overcome and what their plans are for the future.

Q. People often wonder, how does a student become the tops in their class? What has it taken for you to achieve this incredible honor?

Eleina: The best way to do well is to find aspects about certain topics that you enjoy. Once you have an interest in learning something, it pushes you to learn beyond that and get a better understanding. 

Julia: I’ve always kept school work and learning as my number one priority throughout high school. 

Ellery: For the past four years, it has taken a lot of hard work, dedication, and goal setting to get to where I am today.

Q. Young people often have a difficult time balancing schoolwork and other things such as sports, music and social events. How were you able to be involved yet also maintain such high marks?

Eleina: I always focused on school first so I would sometimes spend my time before and after games or during rehearsals to finish up schoolwork. Balancing everything was just a matter of focus. 

Julia: I made a lot of lists. I made sure to get everything done that I needed to. I really focused on managing my time and being wise with the free time that I had. 

Ellery: I tend to balance all of my class work and other activities by making a list of everything I need to do before I go out with friends. This allows me to not be stressed about school while I am with them.

Q. What advice would you give incoming freshmen in regards to finding a good balance?

Eleina: Adapting to the pace of the high school may be difficult but if you keep priorities in check and always have a motivator, you can find a good balance. 

Julia: Always put in 100% effort in whatever you do. Working on time management from the beginning of high school is crucial, as well. 

Ellery: The best advice for incoming freshmen would have to be to not procrastinate on their schoolwork, so that you have time for other activities.

Q. Speaking of freshmen, what were your goals as you entered high school; how did you make it happen; and any regrets?

Eleina: My goal was to join the clubs I wanted to even if it meant I would be busy every day. I just made sure to keep up with everything in educational, physical and mental aspects. There were times when I got way too stressed, but if I were to start over from freshman year, I would join the same clubs that I did.

Julia: My goals were to do my best and work hard on and off the field. I always gave 100%. If I could say anything to my past self it would be to just breathe through the stressful times. 

Ellery: The only goals I had freshman year were to pass all of my classes and to get involved. Looking back, I wish I had gotten more involved in school activities especially Homecoming and Winter Carnival.

Q. We live in such a changing world. What were the three biggest changes you experienced over your high school days and what impact did they have on you?

Eleina: The change in my friends was a big one since I never expected it to happen, but it was just another step along the way. Being introduced to new people changed my perspective on certain things. Becoming a senior was another big change since I never see myself as the oldest in anything so it made me want to try to become a leader type figure for the underclassmen. The arrival of the foreign exchange students every year also had an impact on me since they really convinced me to travel abroad, which had only been a thought prior to my junior year.

Julia: I believe my three biggest changes all happened this year, due to the pandemic our world is facing. With schools closed, switching to virtual learning was definitely a transition. Having our senior year cut short was something we never saw coming either. I would say to never take anything for granted. 

Ellery: The three biggest changes during high school was the grading system, changing to online classes, and deciding to participate in outdoor track my junior year. These changes impacted me by forcing me to try something new.

Q. What were three most difficult things you had to overcome during your high school days?

Eleina: The buildup of stress was sometimes very overbearing. There were days when I could not fall asleep due to the insomnia caused by stress. Throughout high school, I was quite a procrastinator but I would also hate passing papers in late, so sometimes I forced myself to finish essays in the last hour or two before the deadline. Starting my senior year, I tried to be more on top of things and it allowed me to worry a lot less. Another challenge was injuries in sports which really deprived me of a full experience sometimes, but it was all inevitable.

Julia: The three most difficult things in high school for me was prepping for the SATs and AP exams, as well as college searching and college prep (e.g. applications, scholarships, etc.). I would say those were some of the most time-consuming things and it was sometimes difficult to find time in my schedule.  

Ellery: Asking for help, failure, and not caring about what others thought.

Q. What were the three things you were most proud of?

Eleina: I am proud of my soccer team for being able to make it to the playoffs my junior year. Also, I am proud of the amount of change the ASTRA club has brought to the community. I am proudest of my peers who were able to push through in these times where many things became uncertain.

Julia: I’m the most proud of taking my education seriously, always trying my best, and for having a great group of friends.  

Ellery: I am most proud of my grades, friends, and successfully completing college classes while in high school.  

Q. What three things would you change at Lake Region High School, and why?

Eleina: If I could, I would like to change student involvement in certain activities in school because students should try to experience as much as they can before graduating. Also, I would want to change students’ attitudes toward learning since the way people view education can really influence their time at school. Otherwise, I can’t pinpoint any specific thing since I believe that the attitude of the student is what makes their experience.

Julia: I think I would want to change the grading system, in doing so I believe this would better prepare students for the real world. I would also change the location of the student parking, coming from a student-athlete it would be a lot more convenient to have student parking in the back. 

Ellery: I would change the grading system, the parking lot, and the disciplinary action at the school.

Q. What was the greatest lesson you learned during your high school days, and how will it help you in the future?

Eleina: The greatest lesson I learned was that there’s always another reason or layer to even a simple topic. Analyzing documents, laws, or people in history classes or humanities really brought that to light and I believe that it will help in assessing the world around me.

Julia: One of the greatest lessons I learned in high school is to make every moment count because time goes by quickly. I want to be able to look back and have no regrets. 

Ellery: Not caring about what others think of you is one of the biggest lessons I have learned and still learning. Caring about what others think of me has stopped me from experiencing more of my high school experience. 

Q. Speaking of the future, what is next for you? Where are you headed; have you decided on a career path, and if so, what lead you in this direction?

Eleina: I will attend Bowdoin College and I hope to become a biology major in order to have a career in the STEM field. I’ve always liked animals and that probably had the biggest influence on me regarding my choice to become a Biology major.

Julia: I’m attending Husson University where I will be studying pre-pharmacy and playing field hockey. Chemistry is my favorite subject, which is why I chose this major. I would like to one day potentially become a pharmacologist. 

Ellery: Next year, I am attending Plymouth State University where I will be majoring in Social Work. Growing up, I have always had a passion for wanting to help people and I believe that social work is a good way to follow that passion.

Q. Finally, give me three people who have been a major influence during your high school days and how have they impacted you in developing into the person you are today?

Eleina: I was always a reserved child, but as I got into high school, I began connecting with my parents even more and as I learned about their pasts, it really pushed me to strive to do what I loved in high school. My dad influenced me a lot because his experience in high school to learn a new language made me want to increase my involvement in the world. My mom’s teachings of respect and appreciation helped in my connections with people. (Teachers Ian) Carlson/(Christina) Gaumont (I’m sorry that this is four but they both influenced my time in high school) were my Humanities teachers in both my junior and senior years and whenever I was upset or lost they would give me advice. They would also listen to my crazy ideas such as my future aspirations, stories I wanted to write, and things that I would change in the world. They’ve given me a lot of insight on the world and I believe that it will help me in becoming a better person. 

Julia: My mom, family and my coaches have influenced me the most, by believing and supporting me. I’m the person I am today because of them pushing me to be the best I can.

Ellery: Both of my parents, friends and teachers have all had an impact on my life. They all have pushed me to be a better version of myself, while also helping find who I want to be.