Rock Falls High School Student of the Month: Maya Sands

Maya Sands, 17, of Rock Falls, is Rock Falls High School’s Student of the Month. She is the daughter of Nicole and Jason Sands, and her siblings are Gavin and Maddie Sands.

Favorite class: Psychology, because I love to learn about how and why people behave and the functions of the human brain.

Least-favorite class: Math, because it’s a subject that I have always had to work extra hard for.

Favorite teacher: Math teacher Mindy Teske, because she really puts in the extra effort to make sure students understand the material and she really tries to relate to her students.

School activities in which you participate: Junior optimist, which is a club where we help work in social events like Halloween walk through at the Dillon Home, highway cleanup, Pumpkin Dash, etc.; class officers, which we help raise money and decorate for school dances, create school theme days, design shirts, etc.; BLAST (Big and Little Are Special Together), in which we go to Dillon and Merill grade schools to interact and build relationships with young kids; National Honor Society.

What will you do after high school? I am going to attend the University of Nevada, Las Vegas to play volleyball. I am undecided on a major.

What is something you learned in high school that you think you’ll never use? I think dissecting animals is something that I won’t use. It was interesting to do, but I won’t use it unless I am going to work with animals.

If you could change one thing about your school, what would it be? I don’t think I would change anything. I have really had a great high school experience.

What does it take to be a successful high school student? Having good organization skills, time management, and a work ethic are important for being successful. I don’t think you necessarily have to be super intelligent to be successful, but if you work hard you can achieve many things.

How would you describe your group of friends? My group of friends is fun, smart, and athletic. We have known each other for many years and played on numerous sports teams together. We all are successful in and outside of school and we have a lot of fun together.

Who is your best friend? Cara Goff. We have been friends since we were babies and have grown up together playing sports and going to school. She is really special in the fact that she is a very loyal friend. I can always rely on her to have my back at all times. She is like family.

What do you do in your free time, outside of school activities? I am very busy with club volleyball. I also spend a lot of time on my free days with my friends. I like to walk my dog, color and paint, cook and bake, and travel.

What kind of music are you listening to? I listen to a lot of rap and R&B and alternative music.

If you could go anywhere in the world for free, where would it be? I would like to visit Santorini, Greece. The architecture is very pretty and the houses look out to the ocean.

What is your favorite childhood memory? When I went to the beach for the first time.

What is the best way to cheer you up? I think the best way to cheer me up is just to be surrounded by my family.

What is your life’s philosophy? Be comfortable with being uncomfortable. My parents have always encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone and try new things and to go after the things that I want.

Do you have any pets? I have a goldendoodle named Lola.

What would you do if you received $1 billion dollars all of a sudden? I would share it with my family and travel the world!

Is there anything else you want people to know about you? I may seem quiet but I am actually pretty outgoing once I get to know you, and I love to sing and dance.

Your favorite:

Number: 11

App: TikTok

Food: Turkey sandwiches and sushi

TV show: “Stranger Things”

Color: Light blue