Q: Class Rank?
A: 6th.
Q: Parents’ Names?
A: Erika and Tim O’Brien.
Q: Future Plans?
A: I plan to attend SUNY Geneseo as an undecided major.
Q: Honors & Awards?
A: Rotary Club Student Volunteer Recognition Award, Academic Letter Award, Academic High Honor Roll 9th - 12th grade, Board of Education Art and Music Award, AP Scholar Award, Livingston County Teen Recognition Award, second place at the Genesee Valley Council on the Arts gallery in the printmaking category, Student Sage Scholar Scholarship, George Eastman Young Leaders Award, and the Wells College 21st Century Leadership Award.
Q: Activities & Sports?
A: Volleyball, Interact Club (president), yearbook (secretary and senior editor), National Honor Society, theater sound tech, student council and art club.
Q: What is your proudest achievement?
A: Making the most of my time in high school by creating memories and connections, being very involved, and working hard to achieve my spot in the top 10.
Q: What will you miss most about school?
A: I will miss many things about school but I’ll miss the comfort of being in a small school and seeing everyone I’ve made connections with every day the most.
Q: What’s the most important lesson you learned in high school?
A: Always be in the moment and don’t take what you have for granted. Frequently people talk about their future plans or dwell in the past but my four years in high school have taught me that the most important time is the time you are currently living in and to do as much as you possibly can while you still can.
Q: What do you hope your life looks like in 10 years?
A: I hope to be in a successful career where I can continue to work to improve my community and be involved in it while being surrounded by those I love.
Q: Who inspires you to do your best?
A: My parents inspire me to do my best and be the best person I can be. Both of my parents have always been my biggest cheerleaders and support me in any possible way, as well as being excellent role models. They tell me that no matter what, as long as I try my best that is enough. This support means so much to me and continues to motivate me to do more and to do it the best I can, because of it I know that I can accomplish anything I want.
Q: What’s your favorite place in Avon?
A: My favorite place in Avon is the village. I live right in the middle of it and love to walk around or ride my bike with my friends and my sisters. I also love how close it is to everything such as the school, the turf, and the Avon Free Library which are also places I love and have great memories of.
Q: What’s your go-to Tom Wahl’s order?
A: Fries and a blue raspberry slushie.
Q: If you could tell your eighth grade self one thing, what would it be?
A: Get as involved as you possibly can. Talk to as many people as possible and create connections, join sports and clubs, do anything you desire, just put yourself out there.
Q: What do you want people to know about what it’s like to be you, to be your age, at this moment in time?
A: Being a student in high school is a complicated mixture of hard work and fun. While I am always working hard in school, in clubs, or at my job, being a teenager is also about fun. It is equally important to me that I do well in school as making memories and enjoying my teenage years with my friends.
Q: What would the title of your autobiography be?
A: “Through the Years: Ella O.”
Q: Who would play you in a movie about your life?
A: Emma Watson.
Q: What’s your most-listened to song?
A: “Reprise,” by The Lumineers is my most listened to song. I have listened to it over 200 times as well as it being on all my playlists since January 2022. I’ve listened to this song so many times because I love the beat behind the music and how I can relate to the lyrics in many different ways and situations.
Q: What scares you about the future?
A: The uncertainty of everything. I’m not sure what the future holds and what path I will take or what will happen next which is pretty scary, but it is also exciting, I could do anything!
Q: What gives you hope about the future?
A: Knowing that there are so many opportunities out there and that no matter what I will always have my family that supports me and a home and community to come back to.
Q: Tell me about a time when you were stronger than you thought you could be.
A: As president of the Interact Club I have had to do many things outside of my comfort zone but being asked to lead a Rotary meeting was unimaginable to me. I was so nervous to be not only speaking in front of so many people but to be leading their meeting. Despite my nervousness it turned out to be a great experience and I am so glad that I overcame my nerves and tried something I didn’t think I could do.
Q: Define the word “senioritis” and describe how it’s impacted your life this school year.
A: Senioritis to me is not wanting to do anything relating to school or work and just wanting to enjoy the last few moments we have. Senioritis didn’t really affect me at all until after the first semester ended.
Q: What trend or fad did you participate in that you will definitely regret in the future (or actively regret right now)?
A: Wearing scrunchies and the VSCO girl trend as a whole.
Q: Imagine it’s 2050 and you have teenage kids of your own. What advice would you give your 44(ish)-year-old self about being a good parent?
A: I’d tell myself to remember what it was like to be young and to create a trusting relationship with my kid.