by Holly Sanders |

To underclassmen, senior year is looked at as a year of fun and excitement; that feeling of “almost independence.” However, with all the graduation parties, extracurricular activities, last minute finals, senior pictures and all the activities that come along with graduation, stress is the only thought on many seniors’ minds. Senior Jillian Bush understands this stress; however, she remains successful in and outside the classroom while keeping an optimistic attitude.

Bush is co-president of the French Club and an active member of Model U.N. Bush was also the properties master for Liberty High School’s play “Black Comedy,” which took first place at the district competition and competed at the state competition.

Along with her extracurricular activities, she is also currently enrolled in the highest French course and AP American History, as well as Forensics, where she recently performed at state with her partner, Emma Cadd.

“My partner, Emma Cadd, and I recently competed with a ten-minute duet acting piece called ‘Night, Mother.’ We placed first at the district competition in March which qualified us to compete at the state competition in Columbia, MSHSAA, in April, where we placed fifth,” Bush said.
Although it seems that Bush would be feeling the stresses of senior year, she remains a positive asset to the classroom.

“Jillian has always been aware of students who needed more connection to the people in the class and regularly goes out of her way to include those students in activities,” French teacher Laura Snead said. “She extends a smile to me everyday and a ‘Bonjour Madame!’”
For Bush, it is easy to get along with others due to her caring and positive attitude, which is evident to many students.

“She’s involved and dedicated to many activities and is very accepting of everyone,” senior Erica Carr said. “She’s a very caring individual and she doesn’t do good deeds to get recognized; she does them out of the kindness of her heart.”