“It is important for me to be involved because I think I would go crazy if I had nothing to do,” Sullivan said. “I love the stress and the long nights, especially when it’s something that I love doing, like performing.”

The Fort Dodge Senior High School senior is involved in a capella choir, spring musical and large group speech.

Her classroom work has landed her in the National Honor Society.

Sullivan is also on the Fort Dodge swim team, is the boys swim team manager and takes part in swim lessons.

“Being in sports and fine arts is a hard thing to manage. I am not able to participate in fall play due to swimming. It’s a big let down because I do love to perform, but swimming is also very important to me,” Sullivan said. “Being a manager for the boys team also means having to manage the boys meets with speech practices.

“I have not been able to make many meets due to speech competitions.”

Along with a couple of her friends, Sullivan is taking part in a community service project called the Bring Them Home Project to support the Pups and Paws animal shelter through FDSH’s musical, “Anastasia.”

Being involved in all the activities means Sullivan has to work out a strict schedule to accomplish everything.

“It just means having to delegate your time differently between the two activities, as well as recognizing when too much is too much,” Sullivan said. “Sports, arts, and school can be a lot of fun, but also a lot to handle.

“I’ve learned to delegate my time well over the years and try to make it to as much as possible for both activities.”

In her final year at Fort Dodge, Sullivan is currently preparing for the 98th annual musical “Anastasia.”

“I’ve been involved in four musicals while at the high school: ‘Footloose,’ ‘Les Mis,’ ‘Tuck Everlasting,’ and ‘Anastasia,'” Sullivan said. “I really enjoy the environment at musical rehearsals. Everyone wants to have fun, and having friends there makes the long nights worth it.”

“What I like the most in musicals are the big dance numbers because they are so much fun to perform,” Sullivan said. “During high school, I have had mainly chorus roles, but this year, I have the role of Dunya.

“She is one of three girls who try to pose as Anastasia. I have also been in featured dance ensembles as well. ”

During the musical, Sullivan is also spearheading the Bring Them Home Project for the Pups and Paws shelter.

“I got involved with the service project through my friends Cortney (Hoover), Lexie (McHone), and Lauren (Patterson),” Sullivan said. “They were planning what they wanted to do this year. I was able to get into contact with Pups and Paws and to help set up the service project, and that was how I was able to be involved.

“I have enjoyed it a lot. I love spreading awareness about a good cause.”

Being a part of speech has also left an impact on Sullivan.

“The biggest benefit I have received from participating in speech competitions would be just to have fun and not take everything so seriously. Also, do not stay up late watching YouTube the night before a competition; it does not end well,” Sullivan said. “Speech is extremely time consuming. It can be very stressful, and it can sometimes be a let down if you did not receive the score you were hoping for, but it’s also very rewarding.

“I’ve made so many friends through speech and so many great relationships with my coaches. It makes the stress and the early mornings so much more worth it.”

As Sullivan prepares to walk in her cap and gown, she looks back on many favorite memories while also looking forward to the future.

“I’m going to miss all the underclassmen that I have made such good relationships with through my activities,” Sullivan said. “I’m also going to miss getting to bow for a standing ovation, as well as going off the starting blocks to start a 200 yard swim race.

“I’m looking forward to moving past high school and going to college. I’m looking forward to focusing on my major and on my academics. I’m also looking forward to graduation and making new memories this summer.”

Sullivan has a lot of people in her corner that have made high school easier.

“My biggest influence throughout high school would have to be my swim sister from sophomore year,” Sullivan said. “Makenna was the sweetest most positive person I have ever met. I strive to be like her everyday and think positively.

“My other biggest influence would have to be my mom. She has been with me through thick, and thin, and helps me keep a level head when I’m feeling stressed.”

Sullivan plans on attending Iowa State University in Ames to study environmental engineering.