Some people are just good at high school. They excel in the classroom. They float easily between friend-groups. They participate in a variety of social clubs and are involved with sports. They get on well with their teachers and are respected by their peers. And they emerge from those four years with a storehouse of memories, which they can cheerfully rummage for the remainder of their lives.
For others, its a struggle. As the Steve Carrell character in Little Miss Sunshine tells his depressed teenage nephew: High school? he counsels. Those are your prime suffering years. You dont get better suffering than that.
Of the two categories of coed life, Colbi Riley, one of this years valedictorians, ranks very firmly in the first. I liked high school, and I love the people in my class, said Riley in a conversation with the Register last week. I feel like I fit in with a lot of different kinds of students. And because Iola is so small and because were a small class, weve always been close.
The 17-year-old Riley has maintained a 4.0 during the duration of her years at Iola, and shes done it without ever going the easy route. Ive tried to challenge myself, said Riley, who on the day we spoke was preparing for a last examination in her psychology course. Ive taken a lot of hard classes, and I think those, for me, are actually the most satisfying As.
ITS THIS SORT of inner vigor that will stand Riley in good stead in the coming years. Riley plans to attend Kansas University in the fall, where she will begin her academic journey toward becoming a pharmacist.
Riley benefitted in her final year at IHS from an internship conducted in tandem with Allen County Regional Hospital. The program allowed a select number of students to shadow a handful of the facilitys medical pros. Ive been through most of the departments out there, explained Riley, but pharmacy has been my favorite so far.
But why make pharmacy a career? Well, said the straight-shooting senior with a smile, the money, for one. But, also, I want to do something where I can help patients. And Im not into the gory-type stuff, so I wouldnt be able to be a doctor.
The senior says she is currently eyeballing the world of pharmaceutical research rather than retail pharmacy. Just the idea of studying different kinds of medicines has always seemed really cool to me.
IT WOULD BE an oversight to miss mention of Rileys stellar sports career. The standout athlete volleyball and basketball, primarily credits the lessons she learned on and off the court, and the close bonds she formed while part of a team, as among the most positive ingredients in her formation as a young adult. I think Ill miss being involved in sports a lot, said Riley.
For next year at least, Riley will have to content herself with recreational-level play at gyms in Lawrence. However, she will be able to steal the occasional vicarious thrill when she makes the drive down to Pittsburg State University to watch her boyfriend, IHS grad Ethan Holloway, debut as a Gorilla basketballer.
But the missing doesnt stop with team sports, of course. Riley, who graduates today, confesses that amid the excitement of moving on there does run something a little plaintive. I mean, I think Ill miss high school quite a bit, actually. Its sad to think I wont see a lot of my classmates again. Im close with them, and I feel like we had a really strong class. And shell miss her teachers, too, her math teacher Mrs. Kauth, especially. Shes just always been so helpful with school and with life. I really feel like Ive bonded with her.
The dorms of Lawrence arent that far away, Riley knows that. And shell come back to visit Iola when she can. But, still, it will be different. Shes moving on.
Riley is the oldest of three. She has a brother in the eighth grade, a sister in seventh. What do they think about their older sister decamping? The senior laughed. I think theyre happy about it my sister really just wants my room. But then Riley paused; she thought about it some more. Actually, she said, I know theyll miss me.
And you, will you miss them?
I really will.
