Leander High School's online student-run newspaper

The Roar

Leander High School's online student-run newspaper

The Roar

Leander High School's online student-run newspaper

The Roar

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Joel Eichelberger
Photojournalist

Student Spotlight: Jessica Rodriguez is a “Busy Bee”

Being very involved in C-squared, Green Paws, Key Club, band, and track keeps junior Jessica Rodriguez’s schedule very busy. On top of that, she takes all AP courses.

Jessica typically gets to school around 7 a.m. and usually doesn’t back home until 7 p.m.

Jessica’s schedule can sometimes get a little hard to keep up with. Although this would be too much for some people to handle, she manages to keep a positive attitude. “I just try to focus on one thing at a time because there’s no point in getting stressed out over it,” she said.

At times, all AP classes can be challenging when trying to maintain good grades, but Jessica is able to find the positive side of her schedule. “Physics and AP U.S. History are my hardest classes, but they’re not bad,” she said, “But I really like pre-cal!”

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Jessica always strives to make the best grades she possibly can in all of her classes. “My mom promised me she’d take me on a cruise after my senior year if I make all A’s, so I want to make all A’s!” Jessica said.

Her busy schedule may look intimidating, but Jessica enjoys what she does. “I like track, and I’m pretty good at running,” she said, “My mom has always kept me in a sport since I was little, so I just stuck with it.”

She doesn’t hesitate to set her goals high. “I want to stay in the top 10%, get into a good school, and keep my friends,” she said.

Jessica’s friends and family are a big part of her life. Making time for them is important to her. “In my free time, I spend time with my family, and we go out to eat a lot on the weekends,” she said, “And I have a very diverse group of friends. Some are in band, some are in volleyball, and others do their own thing. I definitely want to keep my friends.”

Graduation isn’t too far away for the class of 2014. The time to apply to colleges is approaching. Jessica dreams of going to school to become a pediatrician. “I’ve been thinking about Rice, Baylor, and Texas Tech,” Jessica said, “I want to attend a relatively small school and I want to study abroad.”

Jessica strives to be a genuine, caring person. “Lauren Nance graduated from here last year. She is one of the sweetest and most positive people I know,” Jessica said, “and I want to be like that.”

At the end of a stressful day, Jessica feels that there is no need to worry. “I watch Disney movies after a hard day. They make it all better,” Jessica said.

For people who struggle with keeping up with their own schedule, her advice is “If you don’t finish your work before midnight, just put it away and finish it the following day” Jessica said, “that’s my rule.”

Next year will be Jessica’s last year of high school. She plans on keeping up with her good grades and schedule, but kicking back a little more. “The only advanced course I’m taking next year is calculus,” Jessica said, “I’m going to relax and enjoy my last year here.”

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About the Contributor
Valerie Garner, Staff Writer
Valerie Garner, known to her peers as Val, is a senior staff member on The Roar. That’s not all she does. Val is also the editor of LHS’s yearbook, The Lair. She has been a Leander Lion for entire high school career. After high school Val hopes to find herself in the city of College Station at Texas A&M. She wants to study communications there. When Val is not focusing her time on school, she is devoted to serving at her church. She is involved in her youth group, mentoring middle school students, and singing as well. Val enjoys playing the ukulele in her free time. She likes to eat Yaki Soba, a Japanese dish consisting of fried noodles. Her favorite colors are pink and blue.