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Teen All-Stars: Parents' passion for reading ignites Stayton's desire to learn and lead

Observer-Dispatch - 5/24/2021

TESSA STAYTON

ABOUT TESSA

Parents: Constance Stayton and David Stayton

School: Sauquoit Valley High School

Plans for next year: Attend college to study political science.

Career goals: Would love to work in the humanities field.

Sauquoit Valley High School senior Tessa Stayton is a voracious reader, which led her to co-found the school book club. This also helped her to find other students who shared her interest in books and has given her newfound confidence to become a leader among her peers.

With a rigorous academic workload and extensive extra-curricular involvement, she remains composed, prepared and organized, something that will surely propel her to a successful future.

Where did your love of literature come from?

Since my parents are also avid readers, my passion for literature was instilled early on in my life. Growing up, I read a lot of pretty common books like "Anne of Green Gables," Harry Potter, and "Matilda." As I’ve matured, I’ve diversified my reading more, and now I really enjoy contemporary books and poetry. Reading for me ended up becoming one of those hobbies that you never grow out of, but instead, grow with.

After joining the school book club as a sophomore, you seem to have gained a newfound confidence. How do you think this feeling of self-assurance will help you as you head out to college?

I’ve definitely gained confidence from book club. It encouraged me to broaden my peer group by interacting with upperclassmen and other students that I would normally not have met. Knowing that my views and perspectives were as equally important as anyone else’s in the group was validating and gave me confidence in my interactions outside of the library. I know that this self-assurance will follow me as I begin college in the fall.

How do you think your leadership positions in student council and being the school newspaper’s editor-in-chief will help you at the college level and beyond?

More than anything else, I think that being in leadership positions has installed a firm sense of responsibility in me. Balancing multiple commitments including schoolwork, extracurriculars and jobs has taught me valuable lessons about time management and prioritizing - making sure that everything gets done on time and to the best of my ability. I feel certain that this mentality will continue to be helpful both in college as well as in my personal life.

This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Teen All-Stars: Parents' passion for reading ignites Stayton's desire to learn and lead

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