Oviedo High School yields another amazing student in Lia Swanson. Swanson, fourth in the graduating class, is a hard worker who has inspired many of their friends at Oviedo High school.
When it comes to school, Swanson is a risk taker. They have taken 12 AP classes in just the past two years, as well as dual-enrollment classes. And through it all, Swanson still thinks it’s better to ‘go for it.’
“Don’t be afraid of harder classes,” Swanson said. “Be willing to challenge yourself. Have fun with the opportunities that the school gives you.”
While this rigorous schedule may be called “fun” by Swanson, it still tends to impress the people around them.
“She is a very smart and dedicated student and person,” Swanson’s senior friend Arianna Adam said. “She puts in a lot of effort into all the tough classes she takes and I’m glad to see it pay off.”
Swanson is exceedingly academically talented, and according to Adams, humble about her abilities. Despite their intense school focus, Swanson is easy-going.
“I can always count on her to brighten up a class and make me laugh,” Adams said. “She is loyal, trustworthy, and super funny; She has brought a lot of great memories in my time at Oviedo high school.”
Other people around Swanson have seen her tendency to choose hard work. Swanson’s English teacher Stephen Lander has seen these aspects of Lia often. Lander referenced when he met Swanson, and the impression that they made early on:
“When Lia was first enrolled in my class, it was through SCPS connect, so many of our first interactions were mediated by webcam and chat boxes. Nonetheless, she still made a strong impression as a studious individual.”
Swanson tends to leave this impression on most people. Teachers and friends find their commitment and hard work impressive. They also like Swanson’s ability to translate more difficult concepts in a way that their peers can understand.
In fact, Swanson has shown Lander that no matter what, ‘you’re never too old to learn:’
“Lia has shown me novel perspectives that have developed my understanding of numerous texts and concepts,” Lander said. This unique perspective is something Lander has appreciated and learned from, just another positive attribute of Oviedo’s number four.
On top of being fourth in the graduating class, Swanson also received a perfect score on the ACT and is a National Merit scholar, something they are exceedingly proud of.
“Getting National Merit felt really good for me because it was something that I really worked for,” Swanson said. “I had other accomplishments that I was proud of but National Merit was something that I worked really hard for.”
These accomplishments don’t just affect Swanson, they bleed over onto the people around them
“She inspires people to be the best version of themselves and work hard by setting an example,” Adams said.
Swanson also affects their friends with empathy and ability to care for them.
“She cares a lot about the people close to her and always tries to keep in touch and check up on them,” Adams said. This aspect of Swanson’s personality is something their friends and peers see as valuable to Swanson, something that defines their character.
Moving forward, Swanson is still deciding where they want to continue their education and eventually pursue a career. Swanson has been accepted into Emory, University of Florida, and Northwestern. All schools with an acceptance rate of lower than 25%. Swanson is leaning towards going to college at the University of Florida because the campus and school feel like the right fit according to Swanson.
Even Oviedo’s number four is a little scared for the future ahead of them:
“I’m nervous about adjusting to the change and the social aspects of college,” Swanson said. But, Swanson is determined to push through, no matter what life throws at them.
