Ava McGeough | Class of 2023

Ava M. '23

University of Alabama

What is your dream for Woodlawn?

My dream for Woodlawn is that the students get true pure school spirit. I know you may think it’s embarrassing to dress up for spirit week, but it’s so much fun. Sometimes you just have to be bold and have fun. Go to sporting events, wear the wacky Wednesday outfit, and be proud of where you go to school. Freshman year I always said, “I wish I got the real high school experience, but I can’t here.” That’s simply not true, those movie high schools you see aren’t real. If you want a true high school experience you need to make it happen for yourself. The people make it an experience. The place is only a small part of the puzzle. Take pride in your high school experience, you only get one chance to do it right. And it goes by so fast. Have fun and don’t worry about what others think, that’s my wish for Woodlawn. Don’t worry about all the things, just have fun.

What will you remember most about being a student at Woodlawn?

The thing I will remember most about being a Woodlawn student is how much your teachers and friends truly want to see you succeed. My teachers made sure that I stayed true to being me and they never forced me to be anything different. If I was ever too quiet in class or just looked like I was having a rough day, there was always someone there to help me and talk through it with me. I’m so glad that I got to have such personal connections with my teachers because without their patience and kindness I would have never made it to where I am today. I will always remember how Dr. Gale made me the best ever chocolate chip cookies on my birthday and a card too, it made such a huge impact on me and I will be forever grateful to her. The family part of Woodlawn really comes in handy sometimes especially when you’re going through something you can’t handle on your own, someone will be there to help you.

What is your favorite memory of your Senior year?

It’s really hard to pick just one memory if I’m being honest. I loved laughing, especially at Cal’s jokes, so hard that tears rolled down my face and my ribs hurt at the lunch tables. I loved every moment of every joke with the teachers we made. When I first met my amazing kindergarten buddies, JJ and Luca, and for the whole week before I was so excited that I couldn’t even think about anything else and would not stop talking about the hugs I was going to give them. The flower ceremony was a very special memory for me because I felt like I was personally welcoming new kids and teachers into the Woodlawn family. Working on the yearbook this year was a blast, and so was running the WAC team. I can’t pick just one because I made so many special memories this year that are all so incredibly close to my heart.

What will you miss most about Woodlawn? The people. I am going to miss the people so much after I graduate. I have been at Woodlawn for so long it just feels like a second home. I am going to miss all my friends and teachers, and I’m going to miss my kinders so much. I am going to miss how excited Coach Kyle gets so hyped up during Volleyball games, and how Profe has to warn people to not let me play games first period Monday mornings so I don’t get injured, or how Dr. Gale always gives out stickers in class, or how Ms. Pyatt laughs around with us even when our jokes don’t make sense. Leaving all these special people is going to be so hard. I have no clue what I’m going to do next year without seeing all my people every day. Oh my gosh I’m tearing up right now even thinking about leaving. But I know that I have to take this next big step in my life and that no matter what my friends and teachers will always support me.

What are you looking forward to as you start this exciting next chapter of your life?

I’m so excited to experience college. People always say that it was the best four years of their lives and I want to see what all the hype is about. I’m also super pumped about having a dorm room so I can decorate it really cute and have all my friends over. I hate to say it but I’m excited to leave home and experience my first big adventure alone. Oh, wait! Also football games, I’m super duper excited about going to college football games and tailgating. It’s going to be really hard in the beginning but I know I’m going to love this next step in life