QHS Class of ’24 Senior Spotlight: Memories, Advice, and Future Plans
Join us as we spotlight the voices of a few Quincy High School seniors, each sharing their unique experiences, cherished memories, invaluable advice, and exciting plans for the future as they prepare to graduate.
Falaq Khan
What activities have you been involved with while in high school?
In high school, I was on the Girls Tennis team and Scholastic Bowl team. I was also involved in Student Council, NHS, and Beta Club.
What are your favorite memories of your time at QHS?
My favorite high school memories were snow days during freshman year. Because of the A/B Day schedule, snow days meant more free time.
Do you have any advice for current and upcoming high school students?
My advice for current high school students is to not develop a messed-up sleep schedule, so stay on top of things. Before becoming a senior, they should be made aware of senioritis. People say it’s not true, but the temptation to skip classes is strong. My recommendation would be not to skip, but if you were to skip, develop a nice rapport with your teachers, so that they know will get the work done on time.
What plans do you have for your future after graduation?
My plans for the future are to go to medical school and become a surgeon, most likely an ophthalmologist.
Dylan Summers
What activities have you been involved with while in high school?
I won’t lie, I wasn’t the most involved in high school, which is something I wish I would have done. One huge involvement I had was being a part of the leadership class my junior year. In this class we got to help raise money and work at the Dream Big Color Run. We also had to host a community event in smaller groups, and my group hosted a book drive. We ended up getting over 400 books to help give back to our elementary schools.
What are your favorite memories of your time at QHS?
Some of my favorite memories from high school are going to numerous football and basketball games with my best friends and always having such an amazing time. Another favorite memory of mine is helping host the Dream Big in Color Run my junior year. My role was an emcee, and it was so fun to get to be on the stage and have such an amazing time with our community.
Do you have any advice for current and upcoming high school students?
The best piece of advice I would give to current high school students would be to enjoy every single moment and don’t wish your time away. High School has been the fastest four years of my life and I can still remember so vividly my first day as a freshman right after my eighth-grade year got cut short due to a pandemic. Enjoying every moment was so important to me because I wanted to be able to look back on high school and remember all the amazing things that happened and things that I had accomplished. I hope the future seniors try to do the same because it is going to go by so quick.
What plans do you have for your future after graduation?
This fall I will be attending Illinois State University where I will be majoring in accounting. I intend to use this major to become a forensic accountant.
Camden Brown
What activities have you been involved with while in high school?
I played varsity basketball for four years, and also played varsity football for a year until I got hurt my sophomore year, but I played my whole life. Some hobbies I have are working out, playing video games, and playing golf.
What are your favorite memories of your time at QHS?
Some of my favorite memories of high school is making it to the Elite 8 for basketball my sophomore year and winning conference when no one thought we could do it. Another great memory came from the senior year when we clinched conference champs by playing Rock Island twice in three days.
Do you have any advice for current and upcoming high school students?
The advice I have to is to take your grades serious and to be yourself.
What plans do you have for your future after graduation?
My plans for after high school is to go play basketball somewhere and get my degree in finance.
Lily Twaddle
What activities have you been involved with while in high school?
I was blessed to be a part of many activities during my high school career. I was heavily involved in all things theater. I participated in all the musicals and plays while in high school! I was Theater Guild president two years in a row and was also in choir all four years of high school and became the Choir Council Vice President just this past year. As well as being involved in the Show Choir for four years and Madrigal Choir just this last year. On top of all that, I have continued to perform and help out backstage at Quincy Community Theater! I am a part of both the National Honor Society and Illinois Music Honor Society!
What are your favorite memories of your time at QHS?
My favorite memories from my high school experience have to be either hanging out with my friends at basketball or football games, being able to put on a show with some of my best friends, or the Murder Mystery parties that the Theater Guild hosted. All these experiences created fond memories that I will look back on for the rest of my life!
Do you have any advice for current and upcoming high school students?
My biggest piece of advice to current high school students and incoming seniors is just to enjoy their time in high school. As cliche as it sounds, time really does fly by. I would also encourage them to be involved in the school. Show school spirit by dressing up for dress up days, going to football games, basketball games, going to musicals, and supporting your fellow students! And also try new things! You never know what you might be interested in, and high school is the perfect time to figure that out!
What plans do you have for your future after graduation?
I plan to attend Northwestern College in Orange City, IA, to pursue a bachelor’s degree in both social work and theater. This will hopefully help me round out a career as a clinical social worker with an outlet in public speaking/advocating. My dream would be to use this degree to help create an after-school program that would allow children in underprivileged areas and those with disabilities to have a creative outlet. There would be a multitude of arts programs rooted in therapy so that the kids can be creative but simultaneously be learning how to properly process emotions. Theater and the arts have shaped me into the person that I am. They have taught me empathy, compassion, creativity, and responsibility. I want every child, no matter their background or ability, to also have that opportunity.
Lucas Piazza
What activities have you been involved with while in high school?
In high school, I was involved in almost all things related to the music and theater department, but my involvement didn’t really begin until my junior year. When my junior year came around, I began acting, joining the musical with Hairspray and later the spring play that year. Before my junior year, I was involved in concert, competitive marching, and jazz band as a drummer, show choir and concert chorale. My senior year has been the most successful, doing all the things I love all the time: acting, singing, performing, and drumming. I’ve also joined concert choir this year, madrigal choir, and the Illinois Music Honor Society. I’ve been in the musical and both plays this year as well, so I am a member now of the QHS Theater Guild.
What are your favorite memories of your time at QHS?
I have many great memories from high school, but the best includes the music department trip to Disney World during the New Year of 2023, being a part of the ILMEA All-State convention in Peoria, Illinois, and my church, Madison Park Christian Church’s summer camp, Element.
Do you have any advice for current and upcoming high school students?
The biggest piece of advice for students in high school now is if they are not involved in something they’re passionate about, and even if they’re not passionate about anything, get involved. Try out for show choir or the musical. Being a part of these things has allowed me to become more social, make more friends, and make memories that will last a lifetime. As someone who started out high school as a quiet and awkward kid, I can proudly say that becoming a part of various extra-curricular activities has been worth it. I’ve made so many memories and had a fantastic experience in high school because of it.
What plans do you have for your future after graduation?
As for my plans for the future, I’m not quite sure yet. It’s hard to say whether I’d like to pursue a career in acting and performing or becoming a teacher in the musical field. Currently, I’m majoring in music education at John Wood, but things could change, and I may change my mind. I only plan to attend John Wood for a year, though, and transfer to a bigger school after my freshman year. My most important goal is to be part of a serious college drumline, which John Wood does not offer.
Nathanael Hetzler
What activities have you been involved with while in high school?
I was involved in Beta Club, NHS, I am the co-president of the FCA, I played basketball for 3 years and was the Blue Devil my senior year. I also started a car detailing business in my sophomore year and have continued it for 3 years.
What are your favorite memories of your time at QHS?
My favorite memories have to be the Quincy Shootouts.
Do you have any advice for current and upcoming high school students?
Enjoy high school while you have it because it goes by quickly.
What plans do you have for your future after graduation?
I plan to attend the University of Kansas going to study Business Administration on an academic scholarship.
To the QHS Class of 2024: Congratulations on accomplishing this incredible milestone and welcome to the Quincy High School Alumni Association!
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