Olivia’s imagination, curiosity and outgoing personality have helped her unlock the doors of success at Southeast High School.
Whether dancing her fingers across piano keys, forming sentences of code on a computer keyboard or learning the keys to languages like Spanish and Mandarin, the Southeast senior has become a shining role model for fellow Knights. Her classroom and creative interests have helped her construct a launching pad for many positive post-graduation moments.
School counselors Kelsey Lorimer and ReeAnna Armagost said Olivia has distinguished herself during her four years in Southeast’s hallways. In addition to her academic excellence, she has become involved in a wide range of activities. She is president of Southeast’s African American Caucus, vice president of LSE Business Club, founder of the school’s badminton club and member of the LSE Leadership Cadre.
“There’s no resume like Olivia’s,” Lorimer said. “It just has such a wide variety of really unique and cool interests and hobbies and experiences.”
“What I admire is her attitude,” Armagost said. “She’s just a positive person who puts everyone in a good mood. Her mind’s always going. She’s thirsty for knowledge and is always wanting to know more and take on that challenge.”
Olivia said she enjoys being a “serial hobbyist” in her school and community activities.
“I think I’ve come to understand that it’s important to get involved outside of just going to class and going home,” Olivia said. “It takes putting in hours after school on homework or preparing for competitions, or at school, going to clubs and talking to teachers and getting involved in activities. I think that’s made a world of difference in my time here.”
Olivia also befriended an exchange student from Taiwan who attended Southeast last year. She decided to enroll in Mandarin classes because she wanted to speak to her new classmate in her native language. Her efforts helped her earn a Student Language Spotlight Award from the Nebraska Department of Education this winter for her Mandarin singing skills.
“If I knew her language, we’d be able to communicate better,” Olivia said. “It’s good to be able to communicate on a deeper level when you know somebody’s language.”
Olivia has also become fluent in the language of music. She played the clarinet in middle school and fell in love with the piano after watching the movie “La La Land” four years ago.
“It helps that I have somebody like that,” Olivia said. “He plays piano professionally, so that’s kept me engaged. I like to see people who love what they do.”
Olivia is planning to double major in economics and international relations at Columbia University next year. She would like to use her bridge-building skills to become an international diplomat.
Olivia said she has enjoyed her time in Southeast’s hallways.
“It makes me excited for college and my future career,” Olivia said. “People know your name and you know other people’s names. It makes life easier. It makes it more fun to be at school.”
Congratulations, Olivia!
We wish you the best in your future endeavors. We are thankful our educators could help you Launch at LPS!
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