During her time at the school, Helena has sparked change and wants to continue making a difference in student’s lives as an English teacher or as a prosecutor.
Whether it was in the classroom, on the stage, or on the court she was ready to either lead, or support the leader in whatever way she could.
Helena started taking AP classes when she was a sophomore with AP Seminar and AP US History and it took off from there. She continued with AP Language, AP Chemistry, AP Government, AP Biology, AP Literature, and AP European History.
Helena said that her favorite teachers are Mr. Clapp, AP Chem, and Mr.Wellington, AP US History. “They are/were attentive teachers who genuinely wanted students to succeed. Without their support throughout the years that I have been at Frederick high school I would not be the same student.” She claimed.
Outside of her rigorous academics, Helena also dedicated her time to the stage.
When Helena was a freshman, she was a part of the theatre department’s annual One Act plays. In her role as Little Red Riding Hood, Helena and her group won ‘most close-knit cast.’
“We knew the play like the back of our hands.” Helena exclaimed. “It was amazing. It was cool to be welcomed to the theater community so early on in my high school career.”
While she has not been a part of a theatre production since, Helena is still close friends with her fellow cast mates. She has also found other ways to help the theatre department: through Student Council.
Every year, Helena dedicates time to promoting the theatre department while also helping with Frederick’s Got Talent (FGT). FGT is organized by Student Council during homecoming. It allows any students the chance to perform, something Helena has taken advantage of every year.
“I performed Long Live by Taylor Swift in this year’s show and being on the stage is an absolutely indescribable feeling. Knowing that I overcame everything holding me back and I actually performed and saw so many people that I love in the audience.”
Her sophomore year, Helena started her Student Council journey. This journey led her to finding out who she is and offered her countless opportunities.
Helena said that StuCo allowed her to grow into a leader and showed her that not everything is as scary as it seems. She also noted how it allows her to be a part of something bigger than herself.
“I love how much work I have gotten to do for our school! Whether that be planning the annual dances, or designing events to honor seniors or to cater to a certain corner of the school that doesn’t usually get recognized.” She said. “It’s all about inclusivity and kindness; both within the classroom and throughout the school when planning events.”
In addition to her work with StuCo, Helena has also been a member of NHS since her sophomore year with Ms. Revielle, who is also her girls tennis coach.
When Helena was a junior, she wanted to join a sport and decided on tennis. She loved being a part of the team and the “bus rides, rainy practices, windy ponytails and of course, the actual playing.
“The growth. It was an escape and it helped me to clear my mind, it allowed me to get home and dive into homework I had from other classes. It really helped me gain focus. I enjoyed it so much!”
After high school, Helena hopes to attend either Montana State University or the University of Denver to double major in English Literature and History/Political Science.
Helena said that “words are who I am, they are how I live and why I live. All of the stories that I have read have altered my brain somehow and have created the way that I think. If I get my teaching license in college, English would be what I would want to teach to my students.”
If she doesn’t go into teaching, she would pursue being a prosecutor. She has always had a passion for making people’s voices heard and wants a job where she can continue that passion.
Outside of school, Helena loves reading, listening to music, and writing poems. She said that writing “is expressing. It is conveying. It is seeing in your mind on a page, seeing your thoughts articulated in a way only you could comprehend in a way you meant them” she expressed.
After four years at Frederick, Helena has left a positive mark on the student body and her last message to underclassmen is this: “The only way to get through it is to get through it. Some things in life are going to feel impossible but that feeling can’t stop you. Your best is sometimes going to be someone’s worst. It’s okay to struggle; but you have to keep moving because one day the future will be so bright.”
