Amanda Awad is currently enjoying her very busy senior year at NAHS. She recalls, “It has been very stressful but worth every second.” She has already accumulated memories that will stick with her long past graduation. As soccer captain this year Amanda had the rewarding experience of being responsible for the team as well as sharing the captainship with her best friends. She will never forget this season and the team. She is also in the midst of the infamous college application process. After applying to countless schools, Amanda is waiting to hear from top choices including: Penn State, Georgetown, and Villanova. Although she has made many memories over the past four years, she is looking forward to many new experiences next year. Amanda finds the idea of living on her own the most exciting especially in such a new atmosphere.

Amanda has helped waitressing at her family’s restaurant, The Cozy End, since she was a little girl. Every Saturday she wakes up early and waits on numerous interesting people. Waitressing has taught her many important lessons, like how to support herself and manage money. These lessons will be key when she is away at school next year. Aside from waitressing, Amanda also spends her spare time volunteering at the Englewood Medical Center. As a medical major hopeful this practice has given her a preview into medicine and helping patients. She even stated, “Volunteering has reminded why I wanted to be a doctor after all of these years and makes me excited to start my journey into the field at school next year.”

Amanda has a lot to look forward to in the coming years. In ten years, she sees herself fresh out of medical school and entering the world of research. She is especially interested in cancer research because she wants to use her knowledge to put a stop to the unfortunate disease. She knows that the path she has chosen is not an easy one which is why she lives by the quote, “If you fall down seven times, get back up eight.” She will never stop working to achieve her dreams and encourages underclassmen to work hard now because it will pay off later. Amanda’s hard working attitude will be missed in the high school, but this senior is certainly destined for big things.