Senior valedictorian, Tyler Laird wraps up his high school experience with excitement as he transitions into the next stage of life. He shares some of his fond memories as well as some stories.
“Before the AP Calculus test, the ten people in the class and Mr. {Mike} Fenton went to Batter Up to get pancakes. We made calculus jokes and talked about what we expected from the test. It was a fun time of relaxation before the upcoming battle,” Laird said. “It was one of the occasions in my high school experience that I just found to be perfectly descriptive of my time at FC. The bond between students and teacher over a common goal clicked into the way I view our school.”
Laird shares what his plans entail after graduating.
“I will be going to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo for a major in mechanical engineering,” laird said. “For a long time, I didn’t know what I was going to do after college, but when I started looking at potential career options, I took an interest in engineering.”
Laird chose his major with the mindful awareness of his favorite classes.
“Science and math are my two favorite subjects, and engineering seems to be something of a combination of these two things,” Laird said. “The reason I chose mechanical engineering was because it was one of the broadest engineering fields, and there are plenty of directions I could go with that major.”
The last year in high school is said to be one of the most important years of life. It is an end and beginning of stages of life.
“Senior year has been incredible, It seems like many of the barriers that blocked me from meeting people and fully enjoying my high school experience just faded away, and this has been one of my favorite times in my life,” Laird said. “In spite of that, I am ready to finish; I’m looking forward to my time in college, which should be very fun as well.”
While attending FC, Laird has participated in a variety of activities that have added to his exciting experience.
“I have participated in choir, journalism, cross country, track, tennis, soccer, and taken three years of Spanish,” Laird said. “My hobbies include reading, playing video games, and working with aquariums. During the summer, I work at the Bird Show at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo, as well.”
In ways high school has shaped and influenced Laird. He takes away many important lessons.
“Obviously, high school has influenced what I want to do with my life in terms of career, but it has also changed some aspects of who I am,” Laird said. “From freshman year, I have become somewhat more outgoing, and am more comfortable around other people. I feel that through more difficult classwork I have become more responsible, and have also learned how to better enjoy my life. High school has had a significant affect in making me who I am today.”
Along with his transition, Laird offers some words of wisdom to the students still participating in high school.
“I heard this advice from the seniors every year, but it’s true: go out and meet people?. Grades doesn’t matter,” Laird said. “There are some awesome people in every class, and you should get to know them; it will greatly improve your time in high school.”
Laird shares how this advice impacted him.
“I never really followed this advice until this year, and I regret that. Also, start looking at colleges and majors sooner now,” Laird said. “Figure out where you want to go, and prepare accordingly?. It will relieve a large portion of the stress that comes with your senior year.”
This writer can be reached via Twitter: @eShakeshaft_7. Follow The Feather via Twitter: @thefeather.
For more features, read the May 21 article, Profile on salutatorian: Tynin Fries.
