Nov. 8, 2018 -- Recent Heights High graduate Marissa McShepard, ‘18, is a freshman at Baldwin Wallace University in Berea, Ohio. She earned a Dean’s Merit Scholarship based on her outstanding academic achievement in high school and is majoring in Business Administration. She recently talked about how her experience at Heights High prepared her for college.
Marissa was involved in many school activities at Heights High, including sports, choir, honors and AP classes as well as piano lessons, praise dancing and a job outside of school. “I learned how to manage my time, be successful in class and do well in other activities,” she said. “That skill has helped me as a college student.”
Her involvement in school and community activities also taught her about peer relations. “When you are a new freshman, you can feel lonely. But like Heights High, there are lots of opportunities to be involved. High school taught me to just get out there!”
Marissa credited many of the Heights High teachers and other adults for helping her succeed.
“Dr. Feldman and Señora Cuervo really pushed me because they saw my potential, teaching me to not take the easy way out. Other teachers and staff members like Mr. Wiggins, Ms. Blockson, Mrs. Skehan, Ms. Menefee and Ms. Henderson, were always there for me. I knew could go to to them and ask about anything, especially random questions or last-minute help.”
“They taught me that it really does take a village and that I have people that support me and want to see me do well,” she continued.
Marissa also recognized Mrs. Underhile, an adult from the community who has been an important influence since she was in seventh grade. “She taught me about many aspects of life and how it’s okay to not be okay and that I will be successful.”
“Without these people, and so many others from Heights, I wouldn’t have been prepared to face the challenges of college,” she concluded.