As the year commences, individuals embark on crafting a set of goals for the upcoming year. Curious about aspirations, I posed the question to a diverse group including teachers, students, and faculty: “If you had one wish, what would it be?”

Emma Rodgers, junior 

“To play just dance”

Laura Hapke, junior

“I just want to live a happy life, having a good job that offers me a financially stable life, and a loving family.”

Nickolas Smith,  senior

“Free/reduced secondary academic education. I believe education is important to the character of the student and their quality of life. I want, for myself and others, to pursue further education without spending the rest of my working life paying off four-plus years of education.”

Tonya Gschnell, AP/Extracurricular Secretary

“I wish all of my family and friends knew Jesus in a real/life-changing way.”

Ashley Aaron, Counselor

“I wish that everyone would find their true sense of purpose, with that comes the ultimate peace and happiness…. Also, that carbs are good for you lol”

Brianna Gibbens, junior

“If I had one wish it would be for my dog Tootsie to still be with me and spend time with me some more to sit on my lap and make me feel better when I cry when things are a little bit too hard.” 

Trevor Seigler, sophomore

“I’d probably wish to have at least one last conversation with my dad, tell him about all the things that have been happening, tell him about my plan for college, just talk to him again.”

Diego Ramirez Montoya, junior

“Money.”

Skipper Pace, senior

“I’d wish for all people to appreciate nature a little more.”

Shellee Key, Cosmetology Teacher

“I wish for a cure for Type I and II diabetes.”

Wayne Thames, AV/Web Teacher

“Time Travel – To be able to travel to historical events in the past.”

Jeremy Gillmore, SS Teacher/Coach

“To be able to travel anywhere without concern for time and money.”

Kelly Hill, SpEd Inclusion Teacher

“For everyone to find true happiness in this life!”

Mike Walker, Behavior Interventionist/Coach

“I would wish to live on the moon for a month.”

Jill Brown, History Teacher

“Kindness.  The world has become faster and more distant. These have led to a decline in kindness to one another.  My wish is that people took the time to listen, considered their impact, and were kinder.”

Charles Linville, NJROTC Instructor

“To live up to the potential that God has given me.”

LeAnn Pilcher, English Teacher

“My dog lives forever.”

Duvon Leal, junior

“To have the power of reality manipulation.”

Sandra Honstein, Spanish Teacher

“I would wish to spend more time with my family that lives in another country.”

Kendra Moore, SpEd Inclusion Teacher

“I wish to have the opportunity to access all the resources needed to become a philanthropist.”

Curious about different perspectives, I extended the question to my mom, wondering what her wish would be.

“To talk to my dad and see him again.”

A wish is a beacon of hope, guiding us toward our dreams. It encapsulates our deepest desires, fueling optimism and resilience. In the tapestry of life, wishes weave threads of possibility. Even your wish may find its way into reality, a testament to the transformative power of belief.