Junior Jerika Razer is a swimmer and works at the Logansport YMCA as a lifeguard. Junior Emma Brown is also a swimmer, and she works at the local ice cream shop Sycamore. She also babysits. Razer is hoping to go to Ball State and become a special education teacher. Brown is planning on attending Indiana University-Kokomo to major in early elementary education.
Razer talks about how she manages her time wisely with all her responsibilities.
“I think the best way to manage your time as a worker, athlete and student is doing your work in class,” Razer said. “Staying on top of your work and doing it in class is important because that is when people will tend to slip. If you just do it in class, you will most likely have little to no homework. But, if I don’t have enough time to finish my work during the day, I will come home after school, practice and work. I will shower, eat dinner and then do my homework.”
Many people struggle at first trying to manage their time wisely. Razer explained how many nights she finds herself up past 11 p.m. working to finish homework.
“It was hard at first, but I realized that because I was so busy it was better if I could get my work done during the day or in my classes,” Razer said. “That’s what I did.”
Razer shared that being a lifeguard has impacted her in many ways she hasn’t expected.
“My favorite part about working at the YMCA is all the people I’ve met over the years,” Razer said. “The people who work there, I’ve bonded with all of them. Something else I love is some of the kind-hearted people that come into the pool and make conversation with me.”
Razer is planning on graduating at the midterm of her senior year.
“At the beginning of my senior year, I’m planning on moving out and living on my own,” Razer said. “After I graduate, I’m planning on going to cosmetology school to get my cosmetology license. That will take about six months, so I should finish in the summer. I’m going to try to go to college in the fall of 2025, but that’s if I have the money for it because I’m paying for college myself. I’m hoping to go to Ball State to become a special education teacher with a minor in business. When I graduate college, I want to move out of Indiana to either Tennessee, Kentucky or Florida.”
The more sports and activities a student is in the more responsibility they will have, but more opportunities will open up.
“Being a three-sport athlete in five different clubs, Key club, FCA, Student Council, National Honor Society, and Sub Debs, as well as getting a job, I am going to be a super busy girl,” Brown said. “But, I know my coaches and boss will work with my schedule, and I will keep everything organized where I will be able to manage.”
Brown shared about being out due to an injury and what that did for her.
“I started off high school playing soccer, basketball and track,” Brown said.”Until I was injured and had four ankle surgeries, which put me out of all the things I was involved with for a few months.”
Brown explained how this affected her because she used to be very busy.
“This was such a hard time for me because I love being busy and always doing something,” Brown said. “After that, I decided to manage cross country and track. But, I did try to swim for the first time. I ended up loving it, and I’m so glad I could join the team and learn something new. My teammates and coaches also are very understanding of all the things I am involved in, which helps in so many ways.”
Some LHS students will end up graduating with an associate’s degree.
“A few students in my grade and I will be graduating with 60 plus college credits,” Brown said. “This means I will be getting my associate’s degree while I am in high school. This is a huge deal, but it comes with a lot of responsibilities. I have been taking online classes throughout the summer as well as a few during the school year. This is also a lot more academics I have to worry about on top of everything else. After high school, I am planning on attending IUK to major in early elementary. I am hoping I can then get a job at a local elementary school in the school corporation and teach kindergarten or first grade.”
