With graduation around the corner, senior Abigail Frias reflects upon her time at Clover Hill High School. 

Besides being a Math and Science Specialty Center student, Frias has committed to many activities throughout her high school career. She has positively contributed to the school community in many ways, from heavy involvement in the foreign exchange student program to co-founding the school’s Fashion Club with her friends. 

“I really liked the Japanese exchange [program]. It was always the highlight of the year. We would do an insane amount of stuff in just a week,” Frias said. 

Frias reflected on how coming out of her shell made her senior year to be one of her most defining moments in her high school years.

“I was pretty open for the first couple of years, but it was also harder coming from one school to another, and then just like integrating through there. I feel like once I opened up and started talking to different people, it just went up from there,” Frias said. 

As she reflected on her senior year, Frias emphasized advice to upcoming seniors to ensure a peaceful school year. 

“Get those applications in as soon as you possibly can. Do it, do it, do it! Do it during the summer, and just get that out of the way. You [start the year] thinking you won’t have senioritis, but you will absolutely not want to be here. The good thing is you can leave early [following exams]. You genuinely have to entice yourself. Tell yourself, ‘Oh, if [I] stay in school for this entire week, [I’ll] get ice cream!’” Frias said. 

While her senior year was eventful and full of fun moments, she looked back on how she has progressed since her time as a freshman.

“I feel like I did become a lot more open. I feel like I found myself a little more in the way I dressed. I feel like I found my voice. It was a lot easier to talk to teachers. To ask questions. I got to meet a lot more people throughout the year. I just feel a lot more comfortable in the space I am in now,” Frias said. 

After expressing she found it easier to interact with teachers as she has grown more comfortable with herself, Frias remarked on some of her favorites that made her high school experience more manageable.

“It was surprisingly the English teachers. I really liked Ms. Clopton. She was very understanding, especially near the end of junior year. Mrs. Castorena too. When I first came into the Math and Science program, I was like the only black person in all my classes. And she made me feel so much better because she’d be like, ‘Oh, I like your Jordans!’ or ‘I like your hair!’, and it just made me feel so much better,” Frias said. 

Frias emphasized on the importance of remaining authentic, basing off of lessons she has learned as a student.

“Be yourself. You can’t get far if you keep trying to be someone you’re not. It’s better to just be completely yourself than watering yourself down for other people. These people, you’re not going to see them forever,” Frias said. 

While she reflected deeply on her high school years, Frias is ready for what is to come following graduation. 

“I’m gonna be committing to Virginia Tech, because they have a good microbiology program. I might double major in art too. I’ve been doing art stuff since day one, and I can’t let that go. If I were to do a double major, it would be with art. I feel pretty prepared for college and just the rigor that comes with the school. I’m also really excited to do more internships, getting into [college] societies, and being able to try new things,” Frias said.