AHS is notorious across the valley for its unique classes, amazing teachers, and once-in-a-lifetime programs.
As a new school year commences, it is vital that students properly understand how to take advantage of their high school years – after all, the four years tend to fly by.
On a mission to highlight ways to fully utilize the school, I spoke with class of 2024 Alum Sylvia Buck, who had great experiences and ideas to share with students on how AHS set her up for success in college at Southern Methodist University.
Some of Buck’s clearest advice relates to AHS’s IB Program and the college preparation it offered her.
“During my junior and senior years at AHS, IB HL Biology as well as IB HL English really prepared me for my classes here at SMU,” Buck said.
She went on to explain that English provided her with critical thinking skills that she still uses every day, while biology opened her mind up to what learning looks like at the collegiate level.
“IB Biology was my hardest class throughout all of high school, and it really prepared me, taught me good study habits, and how to take notes efficiently during lectures,” Buck said. I learned through biology not to miss a day, or you’ll fall behind a lot. It’s similar in these huge lectures in college: it’s very fast paced, and hard courses like IB Biology really prepared me for that.”
AHS is widely known for its strong faculty, and Buck proves that such a reputation is well deserved. While she firmly noted that she never encountered a bad teacher during her time in high school, she specifically shouts out social studies teacher Tameira Wilson, English teacher Jamie Evans, and biology teacher Sarah Benson.
Buck also accentuates the college fair, referencing the ways it shaped many students’ futures.
“The college fair really changed my outlook on what colleges I’d want to consider applying to. Our parent-teacher faculty does such an amazing job at this fair; it’s really unbelievable. And the workshops that they offer there help so much,” Buck said.
She also insisted on mentioning her favorite activities.
¨I was also super involved in the dance team and the theater program. I couldn’t go without saying that, it really formed my experience at AHS and made it a great one.”
Even with such an active high school career, she admits that she missed out on some opportunities.
“I wish I had been more involved in Student Senate, even in a smaller role. I also didn’t realize how many cool clubs we had until my younger sister joined things like River Watchers,” Buck said
She also especially recommends that students get involved in Every Student Flies.
“It’s incredible that our school offers that,” Buck said.
In her final words to give to younger students, Buck says, “Really indulge yourself in everything. The time is short, and it might seem overwhelming, but once you leave, there’s no getting it back. There’s really no time like high school; try to take advantage of every program, every event, and every class that this amazing high school has to offer.”
