Student Spotlight on Lauren Butler

Photo+via+Lauren+Butler

Photo via Lauren Butler

Alexander Canongo, Staff Writer

What is your goal for this year?

My goal for this year is to be free. I want to be free from all the unnecessary pressure I’ve put on myself to be perfect. I feel like for the past 16 years I haven’t really been sad or happy. I just no longer want to survive each day, I actually want to live my life.

What qualities do you value in people who you spend time with?

I value creative individuals.  People who are open-minded and aren’t afraid to embrace new things. I surround myself with people who do not try to blend in but strive to stand out.

What is your favorite thing about SHS?

My favorite thing about SHS is that no one is confined to one category. SHS gives the opportunity to students to showcase their many talents and broaden their horizons.

What is your greatest strength? 

I believe my greatest strength is my blatant honesty. It doesn’t matter if you´re my family, my friend, or an acquaintance. I’m going to tell you the truth no matter what. No one will ever have to second guess my thoughts and opinions.

What is your greatest weakness?

My greatest weakness is how often I tend to overthink. Sometimes I just can´t get out of head and that hinders me from making important decisions and enjoying little things.

What movie can you watch over and over without ever getting tired of? 

A movie I can watch over and over without ever getting tired of is called Howl’s Moving Castle. Howl’s Moving Castle is a 2004 Japanese animated fantasy film written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki.  Idk why but for as long as I can remember this movie has always made me happy.

What social stigma does society need to get over?    

That mental health issues aren’t common or normal. Depression and anxiety are both real things that many teenagers suffer from. The lack of compassion and awareness from society prevents people from seeking some type of treatment. I know a lot of people who often say that the shame and humiliation that they’ve seen others experience discourages them from getting help and ends up making their issues worse. I feel as human beings we shouldn’t be so quick to judge but be a shoulder for others to lean on when they need it.

Which countries/places would you like to travel to?

I would love to travel all over Europe, all over South America, Japan, Africa, and Indonesia. I have always seen these places in movies and I just would love one day to be able to see them in real life.  Meeting different people and understanding new cultures has always been something that has interested me.

What is your life motto?

That in order to be irreplaceable one must always be different.

What is your favorite thing about yourself? 

My favorite thing about myself is that I´m not afraid to be one of a kind. I don´t want to be anyone else but me. It took me a long time to love myself and I´m so proud of the young woman I’m becoming.