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Seniors share secrets of success
Managing time is what three members of the Class of 2007 agreed helped make a difference in their academic success. These three Hayesville High School students will be graduating at the head of their class next month and recently shared some insight into what helped them succeed. No amazing formula, grand philosophical reason or instant antidote for success, just simple everyday decisions that eventually added up to success. These students said it was as simple as managing their time wisely, among a few other things - like not procrastinating (which also has to do with managing your time wisely). And after years staying focused and not wasting the precious hours they had been given each day, these three seniors are now reaping the benefits. Ann Guggisberg was accepted to Harvard, although she has chosen to go to Clemson to study engineering; Michael Glatthar will be attending the Air Force Academy in the fall; and Nathan Bourne will be attending the very selective, private Episcopal school College of the South in Sewanee, TN. "These students are just a few members of the Class of 2007 who have been accepted to some of the top colleges and universities across the country," Hayesville High School Guidance Counselor Karen Nicholson said. "Two other members of the 2007 graduating class, Amanda James and Billy Jean Kurns, have received Teaching Fellows from the state of North Carolina, and Jared Ashe has been accepted to Georgia Tech and has received an ROTC scholarship worth $180,000," Nicholson added. The Sentinel sat down with Guggisberg, Glatthar and Bourne recently and asked about the secret to their success. And each, independently, said that by far one of the greatest assets to being a successful student was having good time management skills. Hayesville High School principal Dr. Gail Criss put it this way, "You have to make everyday count. You have to work hard everyday…and that is what happened to these students." Criss added that students like these three simply don't put things off. "You have to learn to manage your time," Glatthar commented. "You have to set goals and finish what you start." And of learning, the threesome agreed that for them it just came naturally. "[Getting into good schools] are goals we each set for ourselves; we all had high expectations," Glatthar added, saying that he had his sights set on the Air Force Academy for a long time. Bourne and Glatthar said that they all three had part-time jobs, athletics and other extra curricular activities outside of school, so that time management was a necessity, but that it is possible to get it all done if you are willing to stay focused - and not goof off. Guggisberg gave this very direct piece of advice - "Don't procrastinate!" "Time management is very important…you have to use your free time wisely, don't waste it…use it to accomplish something," she continued. And of having fun, she said that it's okay. Her advice is to find something you love, something that is relaxing and that you enjoy and spend some free time doing that - for her it was art. Whenever she had some free time she would draw or paint, and that was a great joy to her. She admits that it is a great balancing act to work it all in, but that you can do it. Goofing off and just wasting time - "You can't make it a habit," she added. When asked if they had to make sacrifices to maintain excellent grades and if they regret the hours of hard work, they all emphatically said, "No." "You know, we don't really see it as sacrificing anything. You are really gaining something you want," Glatthar commented. All three agreed that to them learning and doing well in school was enjoyable, and focusing on their school work did not mean not having fun or not getting to enjoy high school. "You have to stay focused on the future…all the grades you make will effect you later on…we were always looking ahead to the future and the goals we had set for ourselves." Bourne commented, "You have to do well in high school to get into that college, and you have to do well in college to get that job you want…You have to keep looking forward…" Bourne, Guggisberg and Glatthar all agreed that there is definitely an element of selfmotivation that comes into play when looking back at their achievements. And although they admit that sometimes they have struggled and have had to work hard, it was always worth it. "I did the work for myself," Guggisberg said, addressing the topic of selfmotivation. "Not to take home A's to my parents…You are the person who benefits from your education most…you are empowering yourself." However, overall the three admit that they were blessed with good minds and learning does come easily for them. "We have all been very blessed to grasp concepts easily, but you still have to pay attention in class and put forth the effort…it's not all just natural ability," Bourne commented, adding that he has seen many people waste their potential because they weren't willing to do the work. He continued, saying, "...this is where setting goals for yourself comes in…if you have that dream to aspire to always before you, then you will have the motivation you need to do the hard work." Asked if coming from a small, rural school made getting into these elite schools difficult the resounding answer was once again, "No." They all agreed that Hayesville offers an excellent education and that during their visits to places like Harvard and Suwanee they in no way felt like they were in any way under prepared or in any way lacking. "When I visited Suwanee and met other students I felt I was on a level playing field," Bourne stated. Guggisberg agreed, saying that she in no way felt at a disadvantage to other students when she visited Harvard. The threesome also said they had one another to thank for their academic successes due to the very competitive nature of their class. "We all want to succeed and do well," Glatthar commented. Bourne added, "We are an extremely competitive class, but we are all great friends. So I think that great competitive spirit helped us to motivate each other." "Yeah, you want to be the one to win," Glatthar interjected. The last item they all agreed on was the role their parents played in their educations, which they said is the greatest of all the influences. And shockingly, they all said that their parents were never overbearing about their grades or checked up on them to make sure they had their homework done. They were not pushy, but very supportive. "You know your parents want to see you succeed, but they never pushed it on me. They know what I'm good at and they have helped me," Glatthar stated. Bourne said he owes a great deal to his parents who brought him up in a good, moral home and have taught him discipline. "My parents were very good motivators, but Michael and I neither one of us ever got rewards for making good grades…our parents never paid us for getting all A's," Bourne explained. "We did it for ourselves, because we wanted to." "I've always been a good student, and I credit that to my parents, but there was not too much pressure," Guggisberg agreed with Glatthar and Bourne. "My parents created an environment that simply made learning fun…My mom took me to the library when I was little and did fun learning things at home…I'm very lucky…I've had very supportive parents." Of making it this far, Guggisberg said that it has definitely been a team effort. "I couldn't have done it without the help of a lot of people," she commented, including her family, teachers and friends. One of the hardest decisions Guggisberg said she has ever had to make was whether or not to accept the invitation to attend Harvard. Guggisberg visited Harvard and feels like she made a very informed decision to attend her first choice, Clemson. After visiting both schools and taking a lot of time to look at the course offerings for her major, engineering, Guggisberg said Clemson has a much stronger program. "The whole environment is very conducive to learning," she said of Harvard. "Now I see why it's such a great place to learn…it is a very unique atmosphere. Cambridge is an amazing place. "But I had to ignore the name and the prestige and focus on the courses I wanted to take...when it came down to it Clemson had what I wanted…it is one of the best engineering schools and it has a genetics program." Turning to the Air Force Academy, Glatthar said he has wanted to join the Air Force since his uncle who is a fighter pilot in the Navy took him up for a ride when he was little. "I want to be an officer in the Air Force. I want to be a part of that military family." Glatthar added that he has always been a naturally disciplined individual and is looking forward to life in the military. "When I graduate in four years I will be an officer and in charge of about 100 other people - I'll be responsible for those people." Glatthar said he is looking forward to all the challenges that await him. Bourne said he is certain of the path he has chosen for his future and is looking forward to the Oxford-style education he will receive at The College of the South, where professors wear robes to class and students must dress in coat and tie. Bourne said he plans to study philosophy and hopes to one day serve as a member of the clergy with the Episcopal Church. "I love the church and I feel like it's my calling to serve the Lord," Bourne commented. Of his choice to go into the ministry, Bourne said, "Some people might be a little bit surprised, but people who know me, my friends, they aren't." So, if you're wanting to get accepted to Harvard, the Air Force Academy or any school for that matter, a few parting words of advice from those who have gone before- 1) Manage time wisely 2) Set goals 3) Work hard 4) Stay motivated And, according to Ann Guggisberg, "Always have more questions than answers."
To comment on this article email Carla at carlagowens@hotmail. com.
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