“Really soak in everything,” Olivia Hendrix said. “The school days will feel long but the years will go by so quick. Actually take your time and enjoy everything, and join clubs. Do as much as you can.”

This is the advice the 18-year-old Seymour High School senior has for incoming freshman.

Hendrix, along with 342 of her classmates, will graduate during the Seymour High School commencement ceremony at 2:30 p.m. Sunday in the Lloyd E. Scott Gymnasium at the school.

She said one of her favorite memories from high school is being in the student section at this school year’s Jackson Bowl back in September, where the Seymour Owls beat the Brownstown Braves 41-20.

“That’s a very good memory, us winning,” Hendrix said.

Hendrix was involved with three musical productions during her time at the high school: “Emma! A Pop Musical” her sophomore year, “The Little Mermaid” her junior year and “Footloose” her senior year.

She was a featured dancer in “Emma! A Pop Musical,” played Aquata (one of the titular character’s sisters) in “The Little Mermaid” and played Rusty, the best friend of the female lead, in “Footloose.”

Rusty was Hendrix’s first leading role in an SHS choir musical. She said she enjoyed getting to play someone with a thick southern accent.

“She was the funny character, the comic relief, and I really enjoyed that,” Hendrix said. “I also got to choreograph songs.”

In October 2023, Hendrix was named the SHS Choir Student-Musician of the Month.

“That felt great,” Hendrix said. “That was the peak of musical season and I put in a lot of work. I felt like I deserved it and it felt good to be recognized.”

The things she will miss most about high school are the football games and how easy it is to meet up with her friends. Hendrix will also miss two teachers who she said made a positive impact on her high school experience: Mrs. [Graciela] Sovern and Mr. [Erik] Stangland, who teach social studies and English/theatre, respectively.

“[Mrs. Sovern’s] classroom was the safest space ever; she made learning fun,” Hendrix said. “And Mr. Stangland always made sure to check up on his students. He actually cares about his students.”

Hendrix will attend Ball State University in the fall, where she plans to major in communications while minoring in both social media marketing and political science.

“I’m looking forward to meeting new people, creating new experiences and making more memories,” Hendrix said.