Lauren graduated 8th grade from Walker Charter Academy in Walker, Michigan in 2004 after attending the school for five years. Lauren entered Walker as a 4th grader who had recently moved to the western Michigan area from Los Angeles, where she previously attended school. As a newcomer who didn’t know anyone, Lauren had the typical nervousness one would feel about the prospect of a new school. 

However, she was quickly embraced and welcomed and made to feel like she had been there since day one. She soon thrived at Walker and graduated five years later having made numerous friends and being actively involved in a number of activities. Lauren was considered an average student during her time at Walker and struggled in some of her classes, particularly math. She entered high school in the respected Forest Hills School District, one of the top rated districts in the nation, with some nervousness about how she would fit in and how she would fare both socially and academically in a larger, competitive high school environment. She quickly surprised herself with how well she did and credited her time at NHA for preparing her for the challenges of high school. 

“I was certainly not at the top of the class during my time at Walker and, like many kids that age, I struggled with confidence issues from time to time,” Lauren explained. “But looking back, I now realize that my NHA experience equipped me with a drive for academic excellence and an understanding of the personal responsibility required to succeed in high school.”

Lauren was an active member of the Forest Hills Eastern community during her four years there. She participated in drama and theater programs, rowed on the crew team, was active in the French Club and competed in Mock Trial where she was a member of the team that took first place in regional’s and went on to compete in the state competition.  She also excelled academically, was inducted into the National Honor Society and, ultimately, was accepted into Boston College, which is ranked among the top 35 colleges in the country.

As a freshman at Boston College, Lauren was again faced with entering a new school environment where she didn’t know anyone. But this time she had a great deal more confidence and self-assuredness that she would succeed because of the foundation that had been set in elementary school, middle school and high school. 

Now, after just a couple of months into her freshman year, Lauren is active in a number of student organizations including the French Club, German Club and the Global Justice Alliance. In addition, she has taken the initiative to found her own student organization for a cause she is passionate about – the humane treatment of animals. 

According to Lauren she: “absolutely credits my time at NHA for helping me get to where I’m at today, and I will always be thankful for my time there and the lifelong impact it will no doubt have on me.”