With the 2023-24 school year underway, seniors at Helix Charter High School are taking in their final year of campus classes and activities. As such, several Helix seniors were asked their thoughts on this school year and what they look to achieve.

We spoke with Oceane Smith, Rhys McElroy, Tori Guerin, Brayden Pape and Brooke Skullerud.

La Mesa Courier: How excited are you to go back to school for the final time at Helix?

Oceane Smith: Sure, I’m excited to start my final chapter at Helix like any student is but, the thought of a last first time scares me. I am ecstatic about creating new memories, meeting new people and having new classes and I do feel ready to let go of Helix and move on in life. Helix has helped me feel confident about the future and going back will help me prepare for that journey.

Rhys McElroy: I’m very excited, it feels like it’s been a very short time here at Helix and I’m ready to see what happens next.

Tori Guerin: I’m pretty excited to go back to school but it’s definitely bittersweet since it’s for the last time. I’ve had a lot of fun at Helix and have met some great people there so I’ll definitely miss it when I’m gone.

Brayden Pape: I am very excited but also a little sad. I feel we missed out on our freshman year because of the pandemic and I wish we had another year to hang out with friends and bond.

Brooke Skullerud: I am so excited for the school year to begin but I am also very sad it will be the last year with all of my friends.

LMC: What are some goals you want to achieve in your senior year?

Smith: In my final year at Helix my biggest goal is to make a plan that will lead me to a successful future, by applying to colleges and receiving acceptance letters. While this is my main goal for the year like the majority of students my age, there are still several smaller goals that I am setting myself up to achieve this year. First of all as a varsity swimmer at Helix, one of my goals is to work hard on my mental and physical health in order to give me the strength to be the fastest that I can be in the water. In my last year I also want to focus on making sure that I am still pushing myself academically. I want to prove to myself that I have proficient testing skills by getting an AP scholar award to display my dedication to learning and comprehension.

McElroy: I want to apply to colleges this fall, and hopefully be accepted to a four-year university before graduating in June. But, much more importantly, I want to spend my last year with all of my friends finishing high school and doing all the classic senior activities.

Guerin: Of course I have a lot of academic goals like wanting to get all A’s and I want to apply early to colleges but my overall goal for my senior year is just to have fun. I want to make new friends, join new clubs, and try things I haven’t tried before. I want to make the most of my last year of high school.

Pape: I want to qualify for the speech and debate national tournament one last time.

Skullerud: My main goals are to finish my high school career strong and have as much fun as possible!

LMC: What are some memories you have up to now of your time at Helix?

Smith: One of my favorite memories was when everyone came back to school at the end of my freshman year. Times had not been normal because of COVID and seeing and meeting people allowed me to not only feel as if I was really in high school but it also allowed me to bond with people who are now some of my closest friends. That following year I remember going to my first high school dance and the feeling of excitement that I felt when I got to get dressed all fancy with my friends. My first homecoming is where I made the most cherish-able memories in high school and it all happened at Helix.

McElroy: My favorite memory at helix was during the last two months of my freshman year, when we were invited back to campus part time. Everyone was so energetic and excited to see each other. I met some of my closest friends and made amazing memories during a pretty harsh time.

Guerin: The best memories that I have gotten from Helix have come from two of the activities that I’m involved in which are basketball and speech and debate. Both of these activities have helped me meet some amazing people and make amazing memories. If I had to choose just one helix memory that is my favorite, I would choose when I got to emcee the homecoming halftime show. It was cool being in front of all those people, the energy was amazing, and it was super cool to announce the homecoming king and queen.

Pape: Definitely the winter formal and spirit days. Also going out of town for speech and debate tournaments.

Skullerud: Some of my favorite memories from my time at Helix include sporting events, extracurricular activities, spirit weeks, and meeting new people.

LMC: What are your plans after Helix?

Smith: After Helix, I plan to go to college and study medical sciences. I am not exactly sure about the career I want, but I know that I am interested in areas of medicine. Besides school, I also plan to keep swimming. In high school I’ve been on the varsity swim team and it has allowed me to not only improve my skills in the water but to help me become a more open person and a part of a community. It would be amazing if I could be on a college swim team, but if not I want to make sure that a pool is always available for me so that I can keep improving my swimming skills and help me find a refuge.

McElroy: After Helix I’d like to attend a four-year university to double major in business or economics and ASL (American Sign Language) or ASL interpreting. After I graduate, my hope would be to earn my master’s degree in finance with the eventual goal of becoming a personal financial planner and possibly a certified ASL Interpreter.

Guerin: My plans for after Helix are to go to college and to major in engineering. As of right now I’m interested in aerospace, but I am considering mechanical so I can learn about a wider range of things.

Pape: I want to go to college and major in psychology. I also want to keep working to find sustainable solutions to homelessness in San Diego County.

Skullerud: I am planning to continue my education at a 4-year university and pursue a degree in either psychology or business law.

Courtesy photos