Haley Mattson

The thought of high school can kind of be scary, we expect to have “the best years of our lives” because that’s what we've always anticipate with the way the world creates the image, especially having the perfect senior year, for Senior Haley Mattson high school was the opposite.

“I thought high school would be like movies” Mattson said. “I was anticipating more freedom and less stress but ended up being a very negative place.”

Mattson's dream of graduating high school is just like everyone else's, having the freedom to spread your wings and leave but to her it's so much more.

“I really don't have a good relationship with my family” Mattson said. “I don't have anyone to stop me from chasing my dream, to leave this place.”

Mattson's high school experience involves a lot of breaking and growing which can be overwhelming at times.

“I wish i can go back and restart” Mattson said. “Now that i know what's going to happen, i want to change my mistakes like spending half of high school faking it just to fit in.”

While most of our fears are different, there's one we can all agree on. What happens after high school.

“ my biggest fear is to leave this place and not know what to do.” Mattson said. “ to feel like this was all just a waste.”

Mattson hopes to study outside of Texas and major in physiology so she can help and advocate for teens overcome mental illness. Wherever she ends up the tiny girl with a loud voice will be heard.