Annelise Rosenkranz is a ninth-grader at Heritage High School. For those who don’t know her, she gives off the impression of a gentle and quiet girl.
Although Rosenkranz has only been at Heritage High School for six months, she has had a wonderful time here because she has enjoyed every single class so far. “So far I enjoy all my classes and the extended lunch break,” she said. She isn’t intimidated by any subject; on the contrary, she always actively participates in class, whether it is a required course or an elective.
The school’s flexible course selection system is one of her favorite aspects, allowing her to choose classes that match her interests, such as fine arts classes where she could sketch and paint, or biology where she can observe the minute details of living organisms. She said, “[Mrs. Gonzales is] really kind and considerate. She can work with you and give you what you need. I feel like the teachers here go more in-depth into the subject, and I can tell they have a lot of passion about what they’re teaching. That all makes it more engaging.” This flexibility in scheduling her courses was one of the main reasons she looks forward to going to school every day.
She also cherishes the little details that bring a sense of balance to her high school life. She likes all of her teachers. They are patient and take the time to answer her questions, whether about
biology concepts or how to improve her drawing skills. The extended lunch and break times have also been a great benefit; these periods give her enough time to quickly finish homework, chat with friends about their day, or simply sit quietly and have a snack, relaxing before the next class. These brief, relaxed moments made her school life feel easy and enjoyable.
As a ninth-grade student and one of Rosenkranz’s closest friends, Maddie Kubler describes her as someone who is “true in herself” and “creative.” It’s like she has this endless well of ideas that she pulls from; she’s always making something new and wonderful. They have known each other for years, but only truly forged a deep friendship this year. Kubler’s favorite memories are from the times they spent together having lunch and chatting, sharing details about their lives.
Looking ahead, Rosenkranz has a clear plan for her future after high school graduation: art and biology, her two greatest passions. Art allows her to translate her ideas and observations into tangible works, while biology deeply fascinates her with its exploration of the natural world and how things work.
