Pushing Past the Comfort Zone
Maddie’s time at Arbor Prep has been defined by a steady climb out of her comfort zone. Reflecting on her growth, Maddie identified a personal philosophy that mirrors the perseverance taught through Moral Focus™.
"I think you'll only go as far as you push yourself. So, a lot of stuff is going to be challenging… but if you can push yourself through it and get to where you want to be, then it is worth it in the end."
One of the most surprising ways Maddie tested this theory was by joining the school band during her sophomore year. Despite having never played an instrument and working through some stage fright jitters, she took on the French horn, widely considered one of the most difficult instruments to master. The experience was transformative, turning a nervous freshman into a student leader involved in Student Council, National Honor Society (NHS), and even sports concessions.
A Future in Forensic Science
Maddie’s academic path is as precise as her French horn fingerings. Inspired by watching true crime documentaries with her father, she has set her sights on becoming a forensic science technician.
At EMU, she plans to major in Criminology, with a specific interest in the laboratory side of investigations. She is already eyeing the specialized forensics programs offered at Eastern to hone her skills in evidence inspection.
"I want to be a forensic scientist technician. So, I would be taking the evidence from the crime scenes and kind of like inspecting it to be able to help solve the crime."
Maddie even connects her musical background to her future career; knowing she will eventually have to present evidence in court, she credits her band performances with giving her the confidence to stand before an audience.
Looking Back and Moving Forward
While Maddie is excited for the independence of college, a taste of which she got while taking an American Film course at Washtenaw Community College (WCC) this year, she admits she will miss the tight-knit community at Arbor Prep.
"A lot of people test the waters in high school. And I think it was just fun, kind of like finding myself and my comfortability and my good friends."
As for her final advice to the underclassmen following in her footsteps? Maddie warns that "senioritis is very real," but urges juniors to maintain their focus once they’ve made it through the trenches of junior year.
Before the heavy lifting of a Criminology degree begins, Maddie is looking forward to a "Yes Summer", a season of going with the flow, swimming, and spending time with the friends she’s grown up with before they all head their separate ways.
Congratulations, Maddie! We can't wait to see the impact you make at EMU and beyond.
About Arbor Preparatory High School
Arbor Preparatory High School is a tuition-free, public charter school in Ypsilanti, Michigan, serving students in ninth through 12th grade. It is part of the National Heritage Academies (NHA®) network, which includes more than 100 tuition-free, public charter schools serving more than 65,000 students in kindergarten through high school across nine states. For more information, visit nhaschools.com.
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