For this month’s student spotlight, we’re highlighting CHS Chronicle’s Managing Editor, someone who’s involved with many activities, both within and outside of CHS. She’s the leader of the CHS Chronicle, a musician, and has won national writing awards. Keep reading to get to know more about Lara Paglinawan!
When it comes to what she does for fun, Lara is all about creativity. “I love drawing,” she says, “I think it’s a skill that I’ve been continuously honing ever since I was young.” She’s also into hands-on projects, adding that she “really loves doing DIYs like building Legos or creating a book nook whenever I have the time to.” Outside of that, her interests are “collecting trinkets, decorating my room, listening to music, and of course spending time with my friends.”
At school, Lara has found a few classes that really stand out to her. “I am really enjoying AP Lit as it has definitely improved my writing and analysis to another level I was not accustomed to before taking the class,” she says. She also mentions how much she appreciates her teacher, Mrs. Shamy, adding that “she makes each class entertaining and fun.” On the more relaxed side, she says she “really loves Pre-AP drawing as it’s a very chill class,” especially because she gets to spend time with her friends there. And of course, music is another big part of her life—“I love being a part of Chamber Orchestra,” Lara says. “It’s just a very fun environment to be in.”
Lara is seriously involved both in and out of school. She’s the president and lead managing editor of CHS Chronicle, and also participates in clubs like Inkblot and Key Club. She’s been part of the pit orchestra for the production of Music Man and even served as a courtroom reporter for Mock Trial. Outside of CHS, her schedule is just as packed—she’s a TAPinto Chatham intern, a writer for the Youth Diplomacy Network, and even founded her own poetry blog! On top of all that, she works as an assistant grader at Kumon in Madison.
Even with all of that, Lara says she doesn’t have everything figured out yet—and she’s okay with that. “I have no career set in stone as of right now,” she shares, “But I plan on pursuing something in international relations and philosophy. I would say something along the liberal arts sector, though.”
Her accomplishments, though, already speak for themselves. Lara is a national winner for the Just Poetry contest and had her poem published in an anthology. She’s also a 2x Blackwell art exhibition recipient, earning second place in colored pencil and having her work displayed in Morristown. In writing, she’s earned a Gold key, 4-time Silver Key, and Honorable Mention in the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. She also won a scholarship in the Immerse Education Essay Competition, which came with an invitation to a summer program at Oxford or Cambridge. And on top of all that, she’s an accomplished pianist who has “performed at multiple recital halls in the USA.”
So how does she stay motivated with everything she has going on? For Lara, it comes down to the people around her. “I make sure to always surround myself with like-minded and academically driven people who share similar goals as me,” she says. “I think seeing others motivated helps me stay motivated as well. Of course, like everyone else, I have a huge tendency to procrastinate, but I try to space my schoolwork out across multiple days to avoid cramming.” She also makes sure to prioritize her sleep, saying, “I also make sure to get enough sleep every night, so I have energy for the next day!”
Looking ahead, Lara is focused on growth. “I think prioritizing myself is a goal I’ve been consistently working on and just trying to be the highest version I can be—whether it’s to develop better study habits or to minimize procrastinating.” She also mentions her smaller goals are to “eat healthier, work out consistently, and travel more.”
If she had to describe herself in three words? “Creative, energetic, selfless,” which definitely lines up with everything she’s involved in. And for a fun fact: she shares the same birthday as her cat, Sushi, and Song of Solomon author, Toni Morrison!
