As children, we are always told to chase our dreams, but some of us are more determined for achievement than others.

Sophomore Connor Abernathy recently experienced his lifelong dream of flying his first solo flight, soaring out of the San Carlos Airport.

“As a kid, I loved watching planes fly in and out of San Francisco,” said Abernathy. “I decided that I wanted to do that too.”

Beginning with groundwork lessons at age 15, Abernathy studied concepts such as weather and aircraft mechanics.

“I started with all the groundwork material, and then I finally got to go into the air,” he said.

With a love for theater and personal stories as an inspiration, Sarah Burry and Charlotte Lewis founded a non-profit organization, Act Out Against Cancer, which encourages local theaters and performing groups to get involved by donating show profits or selling bracelets to go to the cancer organization of their choice.

Lewis, director of Pride and Prejudice, said, “Instead of just sitting and doing nothing about it, we decided that we have do something about it. So why not use what we already had?  Sarah and I are directing Price and Predjudice and one day. Sarah came over to my house and she looked at me and said, ‘Why don’t we start a non-profit?’”

For second semester seniors, the stress never seems to cease.

Some people assume that once college applications are submitted, the rest of the year is a breeze. However, this is not quite the case.

As rejection and acceptance letters arrive, the results tend to send some students over the edge.

“The stress has been unbelievable,” said senior Kayla Tabari. “There’s been ups and downs, and you never know what’s coming next.”

Not only can this time be an emotional roller coaster for Tabari and her peers, but the decision process can even cause feelings of anxiety for students who can’t seem to make up their minds.