Lincoln scores, and the crowd goes wild. Students turn to their friends and jump up and down, cheer at the top of their lungs and applaud wildly. This sense of unity and joy at sports games is senior Sydney Isaac’s favorite part of Lincoln.
Isaac joined The Cardinal Times as a reporter senior year because she has always been interested in journalism. She loved hearing different storylines, reporting with friends and balancing having fun with developing communication skills. Journalism helped Isaac balance academics and fun in the rest of her life.
Isaac got through her hardest part of high school by remembering to have fun.
“First quarter [of senior year] was really difficult because you’re trying to get back into school and you’re fighting senioritis, but then you’re also applying to colleges and hearing everybody talk about what colleges they’re applying to, so it was a lot of pressure and stress,” said Isaac. “On the flip side, there’s so much to do, like homecoming games and things like that. It’s all about having fun and doing what you’re passionate about.”
Isaac has fun watching movies. She discussed her favorites enthusiastically.
“My favorite all-time movie is ‘Mamma Mia!’ because when I was younger, my parents would have it on the TV and… there are videos of me singing and dancing on the table,” Isaac said. “I also love ‘My Neighbor Totoro’” because the sister relationship in that movie reminds me of me and my sister. A lot of it like relates back to childhood and my favorite memories.”
Isaac hopes to make more fun memories next year, when she will study ethnic studies at the University of California San Diego. She is excited for the warm weather and beach, as well as living in a new state.
“[The people are] a lot more diverse in California, so I’m excited to get that experience also,” Isaac said.
Senior Natalie Jolma is one of Isaac’s good friends. She appreciates Isaac’s empathy and thinks it could lead her to a mental health-related career.
“She is very caring about how things affect people, and she checks on people… she is very receptive to how people are feeling,” said Jolma.