Senior Lisa Van Susteren is ready to rock her last year of high school and she is looking forward to all upcoming experiences.

“What I look most forward to is being head prefect of Thornwood, as well as the tennis season. We are doing well so far, so I’m really excited,” Van Susteren said.

Lisa especially likes her AP Psychology class, although it does not have to do with her future plans; Lisa takes this class because “it’s interesting”.

“I really don’t have any special plans for this year, but I really looking forward to AP Psychology every other day, and I’m glad that I got to take that class because it’s really interesting to know what’s going on in your mind,” Van Susteren said.

Van Susteren believes her best memories of the last three years were made on various tennis courts.

“Last year’s tennis season was the best. Our team was really good, we made it to the State Semi-final, and it was just a really great experience because of how the team bonded and how we worked together. We were a great team and I miss it a lot,” Van Susteren said.

With plans to go to college in Germany, Lisa will have to leave a piece of herself behind, which is a realization that prompts her to reflect upon the long-lasting effect of the last three years.

“First of all, I will remember every friend that I had made here because I won’t be able to see them for a while. I will also miss the tennis team because I’ve just gotten really used to all of the team’s members. Most of all, I will miss my Thornwood family,” Van Susteren said.

Off of the tennis court, Van Susteren has seen herself change in large part due to the support and inspiration from faculty members and other students on campus.

“I have to say Mr. Holmes is the person I look up to the most because of how organized he is, how well he approaches things, and how he deals with problems. He taught me a lot and I guess he brought out a better person in me; I developed my leadership and organizing skills. Also, Julia [Holmes] taught me to be myself and not to care what anyone else thinks about me, which I really appreciate,” Van Susteren said.

As an international student from Germany, Van Susteren has overcome certain struggles and freely shares her take on being away from home during such a transformative period with others.

“I just told myself to put myself out there when I first got to Darlington. I kept thinking ‘Okay, you’re not going to be your shy self, you just have to be open and makes as many friends as you can’. So that’s what I did. I talked to a lot of people and now they are all my closest friends,” Van Susteren said.