ROWVA High School - Rovan Yearbook (Oneida, IL)

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A New Beginning Looking back on this year I can be proud of what I have accomplished. In the beginning of September my only goal was to survive my senior year. As the year progressed I knew that I would reach that goal with no problem, so I set higher ones, like good grades, finding a college, and becoming a part of ROVA. Now that I have reached these goals, I must look to the future, which is exciting yet somehow scares me. To think that for eighteen years I've always had someone watching out for me, to make sure I got everything done I needed to, and that I did not get in a lot of trouble. Now that time in my life is coming to an end and the thought of being on my on, so to speak, is sort of thrilling. My main goal, starting now, is to handle everything the world has in store for me the best way I can; and if I fail. I'll just keep moving straight ahead towards the new goals I will have. — Beth Ellcey Looking back over the years of my life, I know that this year I have grown and learned the most out of all of them. I know this has been true for many Wataga students, as well as the ROVA students who were here before us. For all of the Wataga students, this year was a time to start all over again. For many it was an exciting change, but for others it was a sad ending. Many friends, good times, special memories, and especially many dreams were left behind at Galesburg. All of us had to make new dreams and forget the old ones. Many did not know if these new dreams could really come true. I think the Wataga students were pleasantly surprised with the opportunities and challenges available at ROVA. I surely did not expect such an exciting year and so many new friends. From the first day, Wataga students began to be accepted here. In no time at all, the Wataga students could say we” when we said ROVA. Now it feels like I've always been here. I thank all my new, but old, friends for taking me in. I now pay tribute to the Wataga seniors, who gave up their last and most important year of high school to start a new tradition: a tradition of Wataga students becoming involved at ROVA High School. I feel honored to have been the beginning of something full of new horizons and new beginnings. I now thank ROVA for being a chapter in my life that will be written on my heart forever. — Deanna Bray Opening Section 5

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The goal I made and accomplished for my senior year really isn't that big of a deal. It was just to make this year, my senior year, the biggest and best of all my school years, the best I've ever had. I have done that! I've had so much more fun this year, and it seems I've done so much more. I've had ups and a few downs, but I have to admit that this year has been the greatest of all! Thanks to my friends! — Sharon Malcolm I believe that reaching for the sky is what horizons are all about. Each of us needs to strive to be the best that we can be in whatever we do. For me that means performing my music the best I possibly can. By doing so, I hope to bring music into the lives of many people. This is my dream, my horizon, to share my music with others. — Kimberly Swanson Something very special happened to me this year: I made a new friend. This may not seem like a big deal, but to me it is. We had been friendly before, but this year I really got to know her, and I enjoy her company very much. It started very simply. At the beginning of the year I found that I sat next to her in a couple of my classes, and as I cannot stand to sit next to someone without talking, I began talking to her. Right away we hit it off really well. We may not be the same exact type of person, but we act very similarly a lot of the time. We laugh at the same things, so we can make each other laugh. It's always nice to have someone around to cheer you up (or at least try) when you're depressed. A little while ago word got back to me that my new friend really treasures this new friendship also. This information makes me very happy, as I have reached the wonderful goal of making a new friend. It also proved that to achieve your goals you do not have to be ruthless or cunning. In this case at least, the good guy did not finish last. — Amanda Asplund Opening Section 7