This month’s National Renaissance Student of the Month is Riley Vaughan from Washougal High School in Washougal, WA. Nominator Tami Grant wrote:
Riley screams gratitude in all she does. When she leads and is complimented on how well an event or project goes, she will quickly add ‘Thank you, our team put in a lot of work.’ She genuinely seeks to make sure everyone is recognized and knows they are appreciated. She seeks out relationships – for example, last year her sister was a freshman and she told me ‘I am so thankful for how close I got to be with my brother and I know its because of us driving to school together everyday. So I am going to make sure I can drive my sister every day, because I want her to have a sister she can feel close to in high school and know she has support.’ When she felt like a student who traveled to JRGC with us was feeling excluded, she asked me to put this student on her team so they could reconnect. She often tells me how thankful she is for things like her ASB class, her family, going to JRGC, the people who support her. Its not just a ‘line’ with her, its a way of life. She seeks to find the things in life that make her feel loved and supported, and then she seeks to offer the same to others. She is not just grateful in words, but grateful in action!
What are you involved with at your school?
I am involved with student leadership (Vice President), American Sign Language Club (President), National Honors Society (Member), ‘Shoug Squad (Member), Basketball, and Tennis
What is something you appreciate about your school’s culture?
I appreciate that our school is willing to grow. We go through waves of highs and lows within our school. However, we are always looking for new ways to increase it. We are willing to try new things and see how things turn out – if we can keep that mindset, we can only go up from where we are now.
What’s a favorite Renaissance moment for you?
I think my a favorite Renaissance moment has to be getting to fully experience Renaissance for the first time with some of my closest friends and teachers. Our school got to take students to the Jostens Renaissance Global Conference for the first time this past summer. It was such a great experience getting to know the people that I went with better. We had such a good time together, full of laughter and fun, and I left that trip feeling like we were all family. I was close with them prior, but we were able to see new parts of each other and embrace what makes everything about us so special. It also created a burning ambition within our team when we came back home and started planning for the next school year.
How has Renaissance affected you personally?
I think the biggest effect that Renaissance has had on me personally is my desire to become a teacher. I had always wanted to be a teacher throughout my younger years, but I had been shying away from it up until JRGC this last summer. The conference made me realize how much a teacher can have an effect on a kid’s life. I personally have had some amazing teachers during my time at Washougal High School that have truly allowed for me to achieve so much. They knew I was going places at this school way before I even knew it. I want to be that teacher for other kids. I want to be a teacher that makes it so kids want to come to school so that they can learn and grow as a person. With the help of Renaissance, that is possible.
What’s something you are “All In” for inside and outside of school?
I am “All In” when it comes to embracing the relationships in my life. The people that surround you can affect the person that you are. My closest friends are all from the leadership roles I hold within my school. As I’ve grown throughout my leadership journey, it has introduced me to relationships with new people who have become my closest friends. I have been able to share my triumphs and tribulations with them. These friends have challenged and supported me, allowing me to learn so much from them. Thus, my ability to grow as a leader has helped me create lasting relationships. Concurrently, the relationships that I have built have helped me to learn how to be a better leader.
What advice would you give to someone who is looking to practice an attitude of gratitude?
Gratitude all has to do with perspective. So many people always look at what they don’t have, and you’ll never find anything if you’re looking in the wrong place. You have to change your mindset and look at everything that you do have, even if it’s just the small things – they will add up over time. Once you find the things that you are grateful for, it’s also important to express your gratitude. Don’t keep the things that you appreciate to yourself – share it with others so that it is known.
Riley will receive a water bottle and a decal in recognition of her achievement.