Woodland senior spotlight

Rhodie Elizabeth Long was born Nov. 18, 2005. Her parents are Gary and Sherry Long. She has two siblings, Dakota and Mollie Long.

Her favorite teacher is Mrs. Braswell because she also teaches important life lessons. And her favorite staff quote is from Mr. Layton: "The cardinal is a very fierce bird."

She described herself in three words: generous, athletic and caring. If she could travel anywhere in the world, she would go to Bora Bora.

When Long was a child, she wanted to be a teacher. Now her plans include attending Mineral Area College to play softball and pursue a nursing degree in hopes of becoming a pediatric nurse.

She is a member of FFA and Beta Club and plays on the softball, basketball and volleyball teams. Her advice to underclassmen is, "Participate in things and make the most out of your high school years because, the next thing you know, it's all gone in a blink of an eye."

Harlie Hinkle

As for graduating, Long said she is "excited but also nervous to see what the future holds." The thing she will miss most about high school is seeing her friends and the people she has spent the last 13 years with.

The person who has had the greatest influence on her life is her mother because she has taught her so many important life lessons.

Long said her biggest accomplishment so far is getting a scholarship to play softball at the next level, which has been one of her dreams since she was a little girl.

SHOUT-OUTS: "Mom, Dad, Mollie, Nan, Papa and Gracie. Thanks for always being my biggest supporters."

Harlie Josephine Hinkle was born Sept. 8, 2005. She is the daughter of Matt and Stacie Hinkle. She has two siblings, Skyler and Payten Hinkle.

She is a member of Beta Club, Library Club, FFA, STUCO and the track and field team. Three words she used to describe herself are fierce, intelligent and tired.

If Hinkle could travel anywhere in the world, she would go to Athens, Greece or Australia.

Her favorite staff quote is from Mrs. Hinkle, who said, "You're my babies." Her favorite teachers are Ms. Braswell and Mr. Shrum. And her favorite high school memory is from her freshman year while playing basketball.

"The coach told me to stay back with the varsity team," Hinkle recalled. "He said, 'You're being pulled up.' And without even thinking, I said, 'To where?' And the entire team died laughing."

When Hinkle was a child, her dream was to be a veterinarian. Now her plans include attending Mineral Area College to major in biological sciences and then SEMO to major in marine biology. Her advice to undergraduate students is, "Mistakes happen. Don't let them get to you. Make sure you have fun and don't stress yourself out. The years will fly by."

The people who have had the greatest impact on Hinkle are her parents.

"[My] father works hard to provide me with anything I need or want to pursue in life [and] I can talk to my mother no matter what is wrong," Hinkle said.

She said her biggest accomplishment so far is getting the highest grade on the government EOC.

SHOUT-OUTS: "Mom, Dad, sisters, Patsy, Linda, Bruce, Justin, Kara, Sandy, Rocky, Zack, Lucy, Noah, Amber, Sammy T, Kiren, Uncle Dougie, Ashley, Mrs. Layton, Mr. Layton, Sarah Garner, Stegeman, Balzer, Ridings, Boyer, Shrum, Braz, Mrs. Gray and Rhodie."