Senior Spotlight Feature: Meet Laila Henley
Laila Henley, a dedicated and hardworking senior, has made the most of her time at Riverbend High School. From sports and clubs to academics and leadership, Henley's high school journey exemplifies balance, growth, and passion.
Henley started her freshman year exploring her interests and discovering what she wanted to pursue. Over the years, she developed a passion for business and marketing by joining organizations such as Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) and Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA), while also participating in sports like lacrosse.
"In ninth grade, I tried everything so that as I went through the years, I could narrow it down to what I really liked," Henley said. "I found myself drawn to business and marketing, so I joined FBLA and DECA and stuck with the activities that made me happiest."
Balancing sports, academics, and extracurriculars wasn't easy for Henley at first. She explained how she learned to manage her time wisely over the years.
"It was like school, sports, homework, sleep, like constantly. I didn't know how to deal with that cycle at first," she explained. "But by senior year, I learned time management and how to say no to certain things, focusing on what I truly love and enjoy doing."
Henley has advice for both upperclassmen and underclassmen struggling with time management.
"Keep a calendar or agenda, it helps so much," she said. "A lot of times, when you're stressed, it's because you've said yes to too many things. Learning to prioritize what really matters makes a big difference."
Henley's athletic journey has been an important part of her high school career. She first started playing lacrosse when her middle school teacher, who happened to be the high school coach, encouraged her to try out.
"I've been playing varsity since ninth grade, and it's been so much fun," Henley said.
Beyond her extracurricular activities, Henley is highly involved in her academics. She has always prioritized her studies and made good impressions on her teachers.
"I love learning, and I'm always asking questions," Henley said. "Not everyone gets the chance to go to school, so even though waking up early isn't fun, I see it as a privilege."
After high school, Henley plans to major in business administration or management, with additional interest in human resources and international business. She has taken six years of Spanish, including AP Spanish currently, and hopes to combine her passion for language and culture with her business goals.
"I've always loved Spanish and the culture, I want to bring that love into the business world and explore international business opportunities," Henley said.
Henley has already applied to several universities, including Virginia Tech, JMU, and University of Virginia, and is hoping to apply to more such as UNC Chapel Hill and a few in Pennsylvania.
"It doesn't really matter where I end up as long as it feels like the right fit and helps me grow in the field I love."
As Henley prepares to graduate and move forward from her high school career, she leaves behind a legacy of hard work, leadership, and enthusiasm. Whether in the classroom or on the field, she continues to thrive.
