MHS offers many opportunities and pathways for students so they can pursue what interests them the most. One of these pathways is being able to take some courses multiple times so high schoolers interested in pursuing these subjects can learn at a higher level. 

One of these classes was French five, students could take it starting in eighth grade, but that opportunity recently went away because of low interest in the class, leaving seniors this year to be the last people to take French five. There are only four students that made it all the way to French five, and those students have formed a close bond because of the amount of time they’ve spent learning together.

“My favorite thing is that, every year, I know at least one of my teachers,” senior Sophie Ferrer said. “And, I’ve been friends with the same 2 girls for the whole 5 years that I’ve taken French. It’s just really nice knowing that I have something familiar to fall back on every year.”

Students taking French five are actually in a French four class but they are learning at a more advanced level, making them able to bond with French four students as well.

“It’s always a really small class, so it’s a little intimate. You guys get to really know each other, make mistakes and create jokes. Stuff like that,” Ferrer said.

Another class that is offered at a higher level is AP Art, students spend the year building their portfolio and working on bigger projects to display at the end of the year. One of the students in AP art is senior Audrey Cesares, she started taking art classes in her freshman year and has found a passion for the visual arts.

“I really wanted to get better with my techniques and pour my feelings into my artwork,” Cesares said. “In the future, I’m going to Purdue to become an art therapist.”

Cesares has been able to use art as a vessel for hardships she has faced throughout her life. Throughout her art journey, her work has grown with her as she has tackled difficult subjects.

“My AP investigation is about how my father’s absence influenced me and encouraged me to rely on unrestricted internet access,” Cesares said. “My works really explore my imagination seeping through the cracks to distract myself from the absence of my father.”

Cesares encourages people hoping to pursue art to the degree she has to practice and dedicate time to learning all aspects of creation such as color theory and shapes.

“Don’t give up. Keep practicing. I know people say this all the time, but it’s important. I would choose to ignore practicing in the past, but you need to,” Cesares said.