As graduation approaches, seniors are preparing to say goodbye to high school and step into the next chapter of their lives. Among them is Hailey Marie Tilland, a lively and passionate student known for her humor, kindness and dedication to the Mt. Vernon High School tech crew. With her outgoing personality and love for the behind-the-scenes magic of productions, Hailey has truly left her mark on Mt. Vernon High School.
Hailey describes herself as “silly, fun and caring.”
When it comes to academics, she has clear answers on what is her favorite to learn. “I freaking hate math. OH MY GOOD LORD. It’s probably because I’m bad at it, but NO, it’s bad at ME,” she said. On the flip side, her favorite subject is science, which she finds “so interesting and cool.”
Her school days start with an attempt to grasp pre-calculus, “It all goes in one ear and out the other,” she admits. This is followed by the joy of her ceramics class and her anatomy class, “Mr. Mitchell,” she said, “my GOAT!” She then ends her day with either English or study hall, both of which she enjoys for the people.
Beyond that, Tilland is involved in many extracurriculars such as Mt. Vernon Theatre’s Tech Crew and the yearbook class. “I freaking love being in tech,” she said. She enjoys being part of the behind-the-scenes work that makes the school’s shows come to life.
Outside of school, Tilland’s interests range from playing video games to making bracelets and exercising. However, her true passion lies within tech. If money were not a factor, her dream would be to continue working in tech for live music concerts.
Her taste in entertainment is ever-changing, but currently, she is hooked on “How I Met Your Mother” and “Scott Pilgrim vs. The World.” The former resonates with her emotionally, while the latter holds a nostalgic and uplifting charm. When it comes to music, Hailey enjoys a mix of genres, but she holds a soft spot for Big Time Rush, The Driver Era and Nirvana.
Looking back on high school, Hailey recalls one of her favorite memories: sitting outside around a campfire with friends on a summer night. These moments of connection and laughter have defined her high school experience.
Her biggest challenge has been learning to ask for help. “A lot of problems I handle on my own and try to problem-solve by myself, even on issues that need help and attention,” she admitted.
However, she has also grown tremendously since freshman year. “I’ve become a lot more outgoing. I started to find my own personality and stopped changing it for people. I’m nowhere near as scared to raise my hand in class or ask a classmate a question.”
As she looks ahead to the future, Hailey plans to attend college, succeed both academically and socially and build a happy life. If she could offer advice to new students it would be: “Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. Get involved and find your people. Having good friends by your side helps out more than you know.”
With her drive, humor and passion for tech, there is no doubt that Hailey Tilland will continue to shine in whatever she pursues. As she prepares to graduate, one thing is certain: she is leaving Mt. Vernon High School with unforgettable memories, strong friendships and a bright future ahead.
