Small Town, Big Dreams
Olivia Nicole Skalla, daughter of Kurt and Cheryl Skalla, was born on August 1, 2006. She was raised in Blue Rapids, with her three siblings: Kaylee, Riley, and Jase.
Olivia has been involved in many activities throughout her high school career: All School Play, 4 years, FFA, 4 years, KAY, 4 years, FACS, 4 years, FCA, 4 years, Volleyball, 4 years, Cheer, 4 years, Basketball, 3 years, Dance, 3 years, NHS, 2 years, Mustang Tough Mentor, 2 years, Stuco, 1 year, and Band, 1 year. She has had many leadership roles within these activities. Cheer captain, 2 years, FBLA president, 1 year, Mustang Mentor Leadership Committee, 1 year, NHS Stuco Representative, 1 year, and FBLA parliamentarian, 1 year. She is also very involved in her community, attending youth group events and 4-H.
Her favorite memory of her highschool career occurred during her junior year of high school at the K-State women's basketball game. Keyontae Johnson was sitting just a few rows away from the team, taking photos with many others. Olivia decided she would take a photo with him at halftime… but he left after the first quarter. Ava, Kaylee, and Olivia thought they saw him up in the top booth. When they tapped “Keyontae” on the shoulder… it was not him! The girls still took a photo with “Keyontae” and ran away! Long story short, do not wait to take a picture with Keyontae Johnson.
Her favorite song is “Mountain with a View” by Kelsea Ballerini, as well as “Penthouse.” “Religiously” by Bailey Zimmerman. She is not a very picky eater, but her favorite food consists of steak and sushi. Olivia’s ideal Friday night is cheering on the football team under the Friday night lights. She also loves hanging around her friends and going out to eat with them as well.
The biggest influence in her life are her parents. Her father is constantly working hard on the family farm and putting in tons of effort. Her mother is also constantly working, while caring for her family in every aspect of their lives. Her teacher, Mrs. Schreiner, also has had an impact on her immensely. She started teaching when Olivia was a freshman. She is her cheer coach, seminar teacher, senior mentor, and photographer. She is also her shoulder to lean on when times are difficult.
Olivia’s dream consists of traveling the country in person, while continuously working online. She also plans to visit every state in the United States and every national park as well. In 10 years she sees herself at her dream job, married to the love of her life, with children. Olivia’s future plans include attending Kansas State University to pursue a degree in Marketing.
"Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory," Dr. Seuss. Advice Olivia leaves to underclassmen is to love every moment, because it goes by too fast, and cherish your classmates. As she leaves the Valley Heights community to pursue her dreams, she hopes everyone remembers her as a smart, caring, and funny individual.
Senior Mentor, Katlen Schrenier, has some advice for Olivia. “I hope she stays true to herself, as she goes to college, and she does not lose her moral compass. She is a great person and I do not think that will change. Some strengths I admire about her are her organizational skills. She is always on top of everything, and has a really great work ethic in everything she does: activities, sports, the farm, and the classroom. Though there are days she does not enjoy it, it does not deter her from doing her best.”
Olivia babysits Mrs. Schreiner’s four children often, and gives some final words to her, “Thank you for loving my children and growing up with me, in a way, as a teacher. She has taught me a lot and I just appreciate her, appreciate her heart, and I cannot wait to see what she does in the future!”
Article by Delana Murk