March Student of the Month: Hannah Dixon

Hannah Dixon, 18, of Dixon, is Newman Central Catholic High School’s March Student of the Month. She is the daughter of Luke and Lisa Dixon, and she has a brother, Riley.

Favorite class: Forensics, because, instead of lectures, we do labs pertaining to the subject.

Least-favorite class: I dread calculus, because no matter how hard I try to understand the subject, I can't wrap my head around it.

Favorite teacher: Missy Rhodes, because she's always in a good mood and asks how your day is. She's genuinely invested with the relationship she has with her students and brings religion into the classroom. To define her in one word, I would say she's "spunky."

School activities on which you participate: president of Spanish Club, vice president of Ambassador's Club, secretary of Fellowship of Christian Athletes; Model United Nations, Science Club, Key Club, yearbook, National Honor Society and volleyball.

Civic or volunteer activities in which you participate: Knights of Columbus, Rock River Valley Shamrock Club, Newman Parent Association Board, and I help with election nights.

Church activities: Liturgical committee, pastoral council, Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults child care, youth group, lector, Eucharistic minister, and I am a church cleaner.

Do you have a job? I recently started working part time at Shoe Sensation in Dixon; then I'll work at Willett Hofmann & Associates during the week for the third summer in a row.

What will you do after high school? I will attend Knox College in the fall and I am considering a major in journalism, creative writing, anthropology or environmental studies.

What is something you learned in high school that you think you'll never use? Everything we've learned in calculus.

What kind of music are you listening to? I listen to and enjoy whatever is playing around me, but my first choice would be singers like Calum Scott, Ed Sheeran, Michael Bublé and Dan and Shay.

What's one thing in your life you can't do without? My faith.

What is your advice for surviving high school? Laugh as much as you can and find the good side of everything. It's cheesy, I know, but true.

If you could change one thing about your school, what would it be? A working boiler and an air conditioning system would be fantastic additions.

What scares you? Living a boring life.

If you could try any job for the day, what would it be? A Peace Corps volunteer.

If you could go anywhere in the world for free, where would it be? Everywhere.

What is a good book you have read recently? "A Separate Peace,"​ by John Knowles.

What is your proudest moment? Being entrusted to go on a pilgrimage to Rome without my parents.

Who is your role model? Malala Yousafzai has interested me ever since I read a book about her life. Whatever I try to tell you about her couldn't do her story justice, so I beg you to look her up.

Is there anything else you want people to know about you? I can never pick a favorite anything, so these answers were first instinct. Oh, and if you eat around me, please don't scratch your fork on the plate.

What is your life's philosophy? "Carpe Diem. Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary." – Robin Williams as Mr. Keating in ​"Dead Poets Society."

Shout out to: My grandma, who taught me not to take life so seriously and to live while I can.