Standout Student: West Lutheran’s Olivia Hollander

Senior Olivia Hollander is the final Standout Student at West Lutheran High School for 2020.

“Right now she’s at home studying for the AP lit exam. I’m sure she’s nervous but she has no reason to be,” said her instructor Susan Decker.

Hollander, is in the same boat as the rest of the students in her class. At home. Finishing the school year out online.

“Senior year is just like already a very interesting time. Its very transitional. You’re trying to figure out the rest of your life and then it all just kinda got thrown up into the air with this virus. So I just haven’t really known what to expect. It’s been very uncertain. But I think West Lutheran has made the best of it, and made it a really strong finish to the year,” said Olivia Hollander.

It’s a disappointing time for all the students, but especially the seniors like Hollander who were so involved in her school.

Decker has been instructing Hollander in her advanced placement classes as well as working with her on the yearbook. Decker called her a “Go Em Editor” who displayed creativity in a difficult time. Hollander had to supplement all of the pages of spring sports and activities with pages showing off what students were doing during the pandemic.

“We ended up deciding we’re going to do a page on what people’s quarantine has looked like for them. Everyone submitted pictures of  Zoom classes and their set up at home, or what activities they’ve been doing. And we’re also going to still have a graduation page and a page explaining where all the seniors are going and what their plans are,” said Hollander.

Aside from yearbook, Hollander has also been involved in drama. She’s been the assistant director and stage manager.

“Bye Bye Birdie” was her favorite production.

“That was just very involved. In that one I actually got to be in it as well because one of actresses got sick.  So, I took over her part with a week to learn it until the show. That was very scary and nerve racking, but also a lot of fun,” said Hollander.

Looking Ahead to a Teaching Career

Hollander hopes to follow in her mother’s footsteps and become a teacher.

“When I first heard that she was going to be majoring in elementary education and special education, the first thing I honestly thought of was how blessed I will be in future years to call her a colleague in the teaching profession,” said Decker.  “She’s that teacher that students will one day look back on and say ‘Miss Hollander inspired me to do my best,’ or ‘Miss Hollander reached out to me because she knew I was struggling,’ or ‘Miss Hollander did everything to make my year special.’ I feel that’s going to be Olivia as a teacher,” said Decker.

For more stories about people and places right where you live check back often with CCX News.

Plymouth

School Spotlight | Standout Student (Archive)