Hero as Warrior

I'm Lauren Lopez. Hero as Warrior best describes me because playing volleyball at Horn is not only a physical challenge, but it's one of my favorite things to do. Volleyball, music, and friends are what I live for. Recently, I went to New York with choir and it was the one of the coolest experiences I've been blessed with. I'm a realist like my dad and I love to argue, but usually I'm wrong. My friends sum me up in three words: reliable, hilarious, and huge. Rude right? I love them though. They make the world go round.

The Quest for Exellence

My quest in life is to become a biomedical scientist and find cures to diseases. I know high grades and extra curricular activities are important, so I'm working as hard as I can to get those things accomplished. College is a must, my dream is to attend Harvard School of Medicine. In the past, I've wanted to pursue so many different careers, but this one will definitely stick. I know that the journey I'm choosing will have many obstacles, but I'm ready for them all. Eventually, I'd like to find the cures to HIV/Aids and Cancer. That's my dream, and I will make it happen. "Learn from your mistakes and keep moving," - Cassidy Williams.

The Leader of the Pack

Arturo Lopez Jr. is my lovely father. Yes I know, he has a five head, but he is the one who pushes me to do my best and excel in everything. "You can do great things, Lauren, if you try hard enough," is his favorite saying. I'm so lucky to have this wise old man, because without him, I'd be lost. I remember when I was little he used to quiz me on my multiplication and spelling words. Constantly, he would get on my case and make sure that I did my homework to the best of my ability and completed my projects with a hint of creativity. This man right here is my mentor, and he means the world to me. Through my journey in the AT program, Pre-AP program, and the GT program, he has always been there to help out or give me the encouragement to step forward and be a leader. Daddy, I love you, and thanks for everything you've helped me accomplish.

Mother Earth

Lynn Michelle Hahn Lopez. This woman right here is the backbone of everything I do. My friends think she's the coolest and here's why: My mom has always been there for me, through thick and thin. She keeps me in line and helps push through problems. My mom is always teaching me valuable lessons. She has advice for just about anything, and is always throwing out suggestions on ways to do things differently. Her experiences are amazing, and I love sharing stories with her because unlike many, she understands everything. She shows me how life isn't easy, there are many roads untold, and how to make the best of every situation, no matter what it may be. My mom is definitely my threshold guardian. Without my mom, the journey would be lost. Mom, I love you, and thanks for everything.

Shadow

Every one in life has a shadow. My shadow is one of my former friends who I'm going to call Steve for identity reasons. Steve is a person who I used to spend a lot of time with. Steve was one of my close friends; I had known him for a while and thought of him as a great example for a friend. But then Steve changed. Drama would erupt and I would go to Steve for advice, or to vent my feelings. But Steve never took my side and would tell everyone everything I said. I no longer had someone to tell secrets to because within a week, everyone would know it all. Steve would always put me down, little things that got bigger, and then he would blame everything on me. It eventually sent me in a downward spiral. Steve is someone I will never be able to fully forgive. Sometimes Steve comes to me and acts like nothing happened. But I know it did. Things will never be the same, unfortunately, but this disaster has led me to meet new people and accomplish greater achievements.

*names has been changed
***This idea was Alex Moore's. All credit goes to her.

Alex the Trickster

ALEX MOORE!!

You could say she's my trickster, or you could say she's one of my best friends. You might even venture to say she is my sister because my mom loves her so much. When there's drama or trouble with my friends, she always there to make things better and usually it ends with a inside joke or me on the floor in tears. She keeps me in line while making me laugh and it's unbelievable how much I love her. Even though I've only known her for a short period of time, it feels like I've known Alex forever. Every time I see her she pulls me into a bear hug and squeezes me really hard! It's amazing how much she stands up for me and I swear if I ever lose her friendship I'll never be the same. Love you Alex!

Friends Forever

CASSIDY WILLIAMS!!

Honestly, as of right now I really don't have a best friend. Cassidy is the closest thing I have to a sister, which is why she's my loyal companion. I've known this girl since second grade and ever since then we have been really close. She is one of the rudest people I know but I love her for it. She makes jokes about me, calls me rude names, and hits me occasionally, but I do everything right back to her. Every time I think of a time we've hung out I smile because she's hilarious! Our inside joke count broke the scale and it grows everyday. If I didn't have Cassidy in my life, I'd be so different it's not even funny. Having every class together was the best of luck, and hopefully we'll stay close throughout our high school years. Love you Cass!

Journey to the Big City

New York City. To sum it up into one word would be really easy: amazing. Beautiful skylines, fantastic friends, and tons of shopping. That trip was the best so far. This magical city was a giant milestone in my personal odyssey. Taking that trip without my parents was one big part, the other was the city itself! Every night just looking up stunned me. Seeing how real life is scared me a little, since I'm really never alone. After college, I can't wait to see what the world has in store for me, especially after spending a few days in this amazing atmosphere.

Physical Strength

Volleyball is my physical test. Everyday I go out on the court and give it my all. The physical challenge of that is so difficult, but the reward from winning beats it absolutely. This year, our Freshman A team went undefeated in district. After every game, all of us would be tired, sweaty, and satisfied. That feeling is unlike no other. Knowing you gave it your all, and seeing yourself win has to be the most rewarding feeling ever. Without volleyball in my life, I'd be totally different. The friends that I have are all from athletics, and everyone of us played volleyball together at some point in time. I love volleyball, and it's kept me in line as well as shaped who I am today.

My Loyal Companions

That picture doesn't have them all, but those are some of my closet friends. Without them in my life, I'd be completely different, you could say they've shaped my odyssey. With these girls, inside jokes are abundant, and every one of them brighten my day. Whether it's Guitar Hero parties at my house, movies at Cassidy's, playing volleyball at Emily's lake house, jumping on Hayley's old trampoline, or just riding bikes with Valerie. These girls are my rock and hopefully we'll stay close throughout high school. Even though they all love making fun of me, usually their rude jokes are pretty hilarious. But I'm leaving out Alex. You can read about her amazing self a couple posts up. With Alex, I know if someone's messing with me she'll always have my back. No matter what. I love my friends so much and I don't know what I'd do without them.

Young and Naïve

Freshman in high school. 15 years old. Barely street legal, and definitely not able to vote. All of these things say one thing, I'm young. And a little naive. My experiences aren't high numbered, my brain doesn't know everything, and my life is no where near over. My odyssey is just starting, and hopefully the path I'm going down is a good one. My mom still tells me I'm naive when I don't lock the doors or leave my stuff sitting out. "Someone's going to take that!" she says, but I argue back, "No they won't Ma, just chill out." I'm not sure when my sense of security will kick in, but when it does, maybe my mom will stop calling me her little naive baby. The fresh feeling from being young and youthful is still surrounding me and I love it. Hopefully, my journey won't be affected badly by the decisions I make now, but if it does, I'll remember the days of my high school years, where innocence was anything but dead.