When it comes to success here at Sylvan Hills, there are many students who go above and beyond. However, there is one student who stands out with not only academic achievements, but also personal success. Asia Harper is a senior involved in many activities both in and out of school, she has big aspirations for her future, she loves building relationships with those around her, and she cannot live without her dill pickle hot chips, Dr. Pepper, and her phone. She has been accepted into over 55 colleges and been offered over one million dollars in scholarships. She makes everything look effortless and easy, however she has put in countless hours of work and dedication to achieve these accomplishments.
Asia is a part of Rho Kappa National Social Studies Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta Mathematics Honor Society, National Honor Society, DECA, and Interact Club here at Sylvan Hills. She is also a Zeta Archonette and an active member of Alpha Sigma Delta Youth Sorority Inc. “I’ve been able to give back to my community, build strong relationships, and grow in confidence.” Being involved in her community is something that has always been important to Asia, she is always looking for more opportunities to give back and grow as a person.
School is a big part of her life, it’s where she spends most of her time and where she has started her journey of becoming a very successful young adult. Having supportive teachers is only one of the factors that have made her life at Sylvan Hills one to remember, her other favorite parts being “the different opportunities that are provided here.” Sylvan Hills has always been a place that prioritizes giving students the tools they need to shape their futures to be successful in as many ways as they can.
Asia’s AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) teacher, Mrs. Tasha Middaugh has been a guiding factor in her final year of high school. “Asia is the model AVID student.” says Mrs. Middaugh, “She is focused and determined. She challenges herself with rigorous courses. She collaborates. She has a foundation of AVID essential skills like note-taking, staying organized, and applying the content of the lessons we go over in class to her life.”
After high school, Asia plans to attend Henderson State University to study to become a kindergarten teacher, gaining respect from many teachers due to her passion. “I haven’t known Asia for very long, but I know she has what it takes to be a teacher. To be a teacher, passion for children is required.” stated Middaugh.
Asia’s success definitely didn’t come with ease, “I became successful with college acceptances and scholarship offers by taking risks, and opportunities. My entire high school career I stayed consistent, and never let my GPA fall below a 3.0.” She took every opportunity that was placed in her path and she never stopped applying for scholarships. Having that consistency in her life is one thing she claims helped her the most.
Middaugh states that Asia always shows up, is always ready to work, and always finds ways to better not only herself, but those around her. “She gives me advice on what I could do differently, and I love that we have a relationship in which she can be honest and critique.” Middaugh noted, “She sometimes even tells me about a scholarship that she has found, on her own, that she doesn’t mind sharing with the class.”
The future is full of many adventures for Asia, and she has much more success coming her way. Sylvan Hills is proud to call her one of their own, and will cheer her on every step of the way. Please join us in congratulating her on her immense success and all of her many achievements. We wish her much luck, and can’t wait to see what she accomplishes next.
