Meredith Hopkins
By Joan Frances –
Today’s youth have so many opportunities to experience
life in many different ways. Technology has advanced the learning process with computer use taught before writing. Children of tomorrow are way ahead in learning about life and people than 10 years ago. One highly valuable skill that has been around for centuries and is still practiced every day is reading. One senior who has been an avid reader all of her life is Foster High School senior Meredith Hopkins. She has calculated that since age three, she has read about 20 books a year, a total of 500 books in 18 years of life. Such extensive reading has opened the doors of knowledge and amazing prospects for Meredith.
Meredith Hopkins
Growing up in the Lamar Consolidated ISD with her mom, Dawn, dog named Scrappy, two cats, Spotty and Duchess, and a Hedgehog named Sharpay, has been an exciting period of Meredith’s life. She began her social life as a choir member and cheerleader in elementary and middle school and later found her passion in theater. She performed for the first time in eighth grade and continued her theater growth at Foster High School. As Meredith developed her talent, she was cast in Lil’ Abner as a sophomore, South Pacific in her junior year and this year, Beauty and the Beast. She also was in the One Act Play, The Angelina Project.
One of Meredith’s most fulfilling times in high school was her participation at local and state tournaments. Since junior year, Meredith has won 20 awards in Humorous Interpretation. As a result of this experience, she feels a growth in confidence, to own it when she walks in a room. Meredith is looking forward to this summer when she competes at the National Forensic Leagues National Tournament in Overland Park, Kansas, then to Nebraska, where she will join the competition with the Thespian Group at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
For the past 10 summers, Meredith has attended Camp Cho-Yeh Christian Youth Summer Camp in Livingston and Christian Leadership Training on the Pecos River for two weeks. Meredith is also a full-time nanny. Her patience and attention to detail makes her an excellent caregiver and a valuable employee. She is President of the Thespians and Captain of Interpretation on the Debate Team. Meredith is an engaging leader; her talent is put to use every day assisting novice students with cuttings from plays, and she truly enjoys directing. With her knowledge, students look to her for detailed evaluations on blocking and characterization.
Foster High School is home to over 1,900 students. Academically, Meredith is rated in the top 15 percent taking all AP or Pre AP classes. Through these advanced classes, she has already earned 10 college credits. Meredith has accepted a full scholarship to Baylor University and will be studying Criminal Psychology. Then, she plans to further her education with a Masters in Criminology.
Meredith is one senior who has continued to grow in mind and spirit through creativity and exploration of the possibilities life has to offer. Congratulations to Meredith on all of her accomplishments – both now and in the future. With her passion and drive, we know she is headed toward success!