This year, the Talisman is doing special features on 26 unique seniors throughout the school year to celebrate these past four years they’ve spent here. These students represent the different facets of the class of 2026 at Delaware Hayes.
Meet Shivani:
Q: What activities are you involved in at Hayes?
A: I am Vice President of Thespian Troupe 420, as well as Symphonic Choir. I also participate in Hayes Players, Tri-M honors society, National Honors Society, Games club and Hayes Cinematics. I recently held the role of Maleficent in Hayes’s production of Descendants.
Q: Do you have any commitments outside of school?
A: I sit on the committee for the Flip The Page teen literary journal and volunteer at Thurber House Summer Writing Camp over the summer.
Q: How did you balance your schoolwork with your other commitments?
A: With so much on my plate, I struggled at times to balance my schoolwork. I took a study hall my sophomore through senior year, and it helped tremendously. Honestly, you have to fall in love with the grind. I continued to work hard on all my commitments, but I also had to learn to give myself grace so I didn’t burn out.
Q: What is your favorite memory from Hayes?
A: I always love House and House Games every year, but another favorite memory is probably a moment in Symphonic Choir my junior year when we all sang “Loch Lomond” together. I also loved dancing backstage during Clue while we were waiting for scene changes, and winning the bridge building competition for Ice Games 2024.
Q: What has been your favorite class at Hayes and why?
A: My favorite classes are Symphonic Choir and Hayes Players. I have met countless friends through both ensembles, and I love getting to play music and sing with my friends.
Q: What is one piece of advice you have for future high schoolers?
A: Reach out and stay involved. Keep pursuing your interests and passions, you’ll be surprised at how quickly community finds you. Also trust yourself, you probably know more than you think.
Q: What is one thing you’ll miss when you’re gone?
A: I will always miss the theatre program at Hayes. The people were truly a second family to me, and I felt like when I could count on nothing else, I had my Thespian community to lean on.
Q: What are your plans for after high school and why?
A: I’m headed to Denison University to study Creative Writing. I want to keep telling stories and help people’s voices feel heard. I am interested in songwriting, film, theatre, publishing, and potentially education.
Good luck Shivani! We are looking forward to seeing what you will achieve in these next steps.
