There is nothing that compares to the feeling of seeing the “Welcome to the Village of Palos Park” sign after a long 6-hour drive from the University of Missouri, where I now call home 9 months out of the year. They say distance makes the heart grow fonder, which I found to be true as I sat in my dorm bed dreaming about a scoop of cake batter ice cream from The Plush Horse, a walk around Lake Katherine, or dinner with my family at Francesca’s more times than I can count. Regardless of how big and hectic my life becomes, Palos Park will always be home.

I have lived in Palos Park my entire life and attended Palos East Elementary and Palos South Middle School before graduating from Amos Alonzo Stagg High School in 2025. Looking back, so many of the experiences that influenced my future started right here in this community.

Growing up, I devoted half of my time to acting, singing, and dancing in musicals put on at the Palos recreation center, while the other half was spent on the softball fields in the summer playing for Power Softball. During high school, I continued to be involved in athletics, but instead of softball, I played volleyball all four years at Stagg and was honored to serve as captain during my senior season. Outside of sports, Student Council became one of the most important parts of my high school experience. I was elected Executive Board President and helped organize school events, such as Homecoming, the Veteran’s Day Breakfast, and more, that boosted school spirit and brought students together.

One experience that stands out as especially meaningful was serving as Student School Board Representative for District 230. Each month, I had the opportunity to speak at the Board of Education meetings and share highlights and accomplishments happening at Stagg High School. It meant so much to me that I was trusted as the voice to represent the students at Stagg.

I have also been fortunate to have teachers who made a lasting impact on my life. One person I deeply admire is my freshman and junior year English teacher, Ms. Przybylski. Without her support and encouragement, I do not think I would have had the confidence to pursue these leadership roles and realize what I was capable of. I also heavily credit her for my decision to pursue journalism because it was in her class that I realized my love for writing.

Now at Mizzou, I am studying journalism with an emphasis on strategic communications and a minor in fashion. I have continued to look for opportunities to stay involved and serve my community. I joined Pi Beta Phi and participate in its philanthropy, Read, Lead, Achieve, which promotes children’s literacy. Each week, I visited a local preschool classroom to read with students. Doing this helped make a big community feel small and reminded me of all the meaningful connections in Palos.

After graduating from college, I hope to combine my interests in journalism, communications, and fashion by working in fashion marketing, advertising, public relations, or for a fashion magazine. This summer, being back home and with Stroll Palos Park has been such a full-circle moment because I have had the opportunity to tell stories about the same community that helped shape my own.

Every time I return home, I am reminded how fortunate I am to come from a community like this one. No matter where life takes me, I know I will always carry Palos Park and everything it has given me with me.