Since she was a freshman, Lila has taken a variety of classes, many contributing to her future in medicine. Beginning her freshman year, Lila Honors English 9, Honors Biology, Honors Algebra 2, and AP Human Geography. From there, she propelled herself into higher level coursework with AP US History, AP Seminar, Trig and Pre Calculus, Honors Chemistry, AP Lang, AP Calculus, and AP Government all before her senior year.
Her favorites being AP Lang with Mrs. Nugent and APUSH with Mr. Wellington.
Simultaneously, she was dual enrolled in numerous EMT and medical classes at the Career Elevation and Technology Center. Post graduation, Lila plans to pursue a degree in pre-med, with a focus in anatomy and physiology at Colorado State University.
Lila said that, “I have always been fascinated by the human body and I want to use my knowledge, skills, and care to help many people who may be having the worst day of their lives. I strive to be there for them and help them in any way possible.”
She hopes to use this skillset to become an ER Physician, a Pulmonologist, a Paramedic, or anything in the medical field.
At Frederick, Lila also took advantage of the diverse extracurriculars the school has to offer.
Continuing from middle school, Lila played both the bass and the sousaphone (a type of Tuba) her freshman year. Lila continued playing the sousaphone through her senior year, her skillset allowing her to perform in District Honors Band her senior year.
She noted how, “[Band] has incredibly affected my social experience in high school. Through band I have found so many friends and have gained so many musical skills.”
Lila also partook in four varsity sports during her time at Frederick: Swimming, Diving, Golf, as well as Track and Field
Swim has been a part of Lila’s life since well before high school, swimming for the Longmont Red Tails, and continued the passion when she got to Frederick. While on the team, she also took up diving, becoming the first diver in Frederick history. Her main events are the 100 free and 200 IM, though she swims all strokes. She also competes in a number of relays, helping take her team to state her sophomore and junior year.
In the spring of her freshman year, she also took up Track and Field, competing in the Triple Jump. However, the next year she switched gears and joined the golf team. Progressing in her skills, Lila will be named senior captain this upcoming season.
All of this alongside academics taught Lila a variety of skills. Lila said that, “Being a student athlete has been extremely difficult. Trying to balance 3 sports and school along with friends and family is an extremely hard juggling act, however it has taught me many things. Through sports and being a student athlete I have become a more socially adept person as well as I have gained the ability to stay calm and organize things in an otherwise overwhelming and stressful situation.”
With the diversity and multitude of high school experiences, Lila had a hard time choosing just a single memory, but her favorite was junior year prom.
“That night I had met so many amazing people and had hung out with even more. I had danced the night away to the point I could no longer feel my feet.” Lila explained.
“I talked and laughed with people I haven’t been able to see in school otherwise. After prom was just as good as the dance, winning prizes, eating food, playing games and more. I finally felt free and comfortable after struggling with academics, anxiety, and personal issues the whole year up until then.”
Outside of school, Lila enjoys hiking, paddle boarding, swimming, painting, doing escape rooms, video games, golfing, and almost anything that involves being outdoors.
As she looked back at the last four years, she reflected on some advice that would have helped her when she was a freshman:
“There are going to be those times in your life, especially through high school, where you will feel down. You’ll be scared, you’ll not know what to do, you won’t even know where to start to fix even the smallest things. All you have to know though is just taking a single step is all it takes. Take a step forward, take a step over a line. Take a step over a wall. Just one step is all it takes to begin something.”
