With just a month left in the current school year, the hard work of the seniors at Lakeview High School is finally paying off with graduation quickly approaching. These hard-working seniors are our Top Dogs here on The Bulldog Bulletin. This time we are featuring Gavin Mahood.
Like many other students here at Lakeview, Mahood enjoys contributing to the band, particularly the concerts. He describes these concerts as “the best moments in the band.” Reminiscing about past concerts, Mahood has one moment in particular that stands out to him, “I still think about when we performed in front of three judges. That year I was in percussion and at the highest point of the steps we played on, even though it was the farthest from the judges you always felt like they were looking directly at you and percussion is almost always audible. However, the pressure was lessened by all the practice we had done, so mentally I had returned to practice, just play, and not think about the judges, just do your utmost best and so I did and made it through.”
While school is important, keeping active is just as crucial. Throughout his high school years, Mahood took the time to sharpen both his mind and his body. He is proud of his efforts, “I will always appreciate my physical improvements. I felt like a tri-athlete by the end. So that reinforced my belief that no matter where you start you can always end at the top or always improve. So I plan to workout again and not just regain what I lost, I will improve past what I had and then keep going.”
In regards to academics, the teachers at Lakeview actively shape the lives of students and help them grow. One teacher in particular, John Terbovich, was an influential figure in Mahood’s high school career. He shares that “Mr. Terbovich was always helpful and was easy to connect with.”
Reflecting on his freshman year, Mahood wishes that he “was more confident when starting out in high school.” School work would leave him discouraged, “I would miss one assignment and feel hopeless and effectively give up then and that missed work would pile up.”
However, Mahood didn’t let this struggle define him and instead overcame his obstacles. By the end of this year, he says that, ultimately, “I don’t give up as easily and I’m determined to make it now.”
Mahood leaves Lakeview with some wisdom to depart onto up-and-coming students, “don’t let up when you fall behind. You may feel like you will never catch up, yet you only lose when you give up. Even if you do bad, summer school is still available; however, you should never need to do that if you just keep pushing forward.”
Leaving Lakeview behind is an emotional moment that every senior inevitably has to face. Mahood will miss Lakeview’s familiar and welcoming environment, “The teachers and students always gave me a sense of home. I almost don’t want to leave because I got to meet the most unique people during these school years. Some of the people I barely know but I wonder what they will be in 10 years and what we will look like. So I will always miss this part of my life – the simple part of life. Preceding your early years, that is the most interesting and eventful part of one’s life.”
Gavin Mahood’s overall determination and willingness to improve truly embodies Lakeview spirit. We wish him good luck and success in his future endeavors after he graduates from Lakeview High School!
