Meet Addison, Class of 2020 senior from Notre Dame High School!   Addie is a beautiful, creative soul and she inspired me to use my creativity as a photographer during her session.  She would describe herself as open-minded with a love of meeting new people and helping others!

After high school, she plans on attending SIU to study art therapy.  Her favorite event in high school is the senior art show. “It’s a way to see every individuals art work and all the creativity that we share. A lot of my peers don’t know that I do art and it’s a fun night! I also love art contests and being able to show our work in areas outside of school. I have received 2nd place with a piece at the Contemporary Art Center and I also had some work displayed in a book at another contest.”

“My favorite teacher is Mrs. Hancock. She was my 4th grade teacher at St. Vincent De Paul. She always believed in me  was always supportive.  I love to be able to get away from the general classes and do something that inspires me.  In school, I participate in Lumen Christi, St. Jude Club, Art Club, German Club, Teens for Life Club, TEC, and Tennis. Outside of school, I volunteer in different fields. Last summer I volunteered as a teachers aid for children who mostly spoke Spanish.  I have worked with animals, vacation bible schools, and teaching art to younger kids.”

Advice to incoming freshman: “Life is short and so is this. Dont let your grades or friends define you.”

Three things on my bucket list: 1. Sky dive 2. Win an art contest overall 3. Go to the Great Barrier Reef

“A moment I am most proud of is when I helped student learn English at Manual during the summer. They lived in poverty in a poor community and just to observe the children happy like kids should be was very rewarding.

FOOD and FAMILY:

1. What’s the most unusual think you have ever eaten? Cow tongue *shocker, it tastes like a tongue* 0 out of 10. Wouldn’t recommend!
2. What’s your favorite holiday and family tradition.  My favorite holiday is Easter but my favorite holiday tradition is a time between Thanksgiving and Christmas. We have a special Thanksmas with family that we don’t get to see a lot. It’s basically all of us coming together and stuffing our faces with food then getting gifts. I love this tradition every year.
3. If I could eat only one meal for the rest of my life, it would be my mom’s spaghetti and meatballs. t’s my favorite meal even though I’m the only one in my family that likes it
4. My favorite memory is when my grandparents got me tin foil for my birthday and I made a King Kong scene in my living room. Apparently all I wanted for my birthday was tin foil.
5. My favorite family trip was to a trip to Leelanau, Michigan. We had each other and the lake and it was amazing to get away from all of life’s distractions and enjoy each other.
6. My mom is the strongest woman I will ever know. I’m proud to have her as my mom. She made me into a well rounded person and without her strength I wouldnt be myself today. My dad has always been my best friend. I’m the boy he never got! Always working with him on landscaping, building a tree house, changing a tire. He taught me how to be independent and go for what I want. Love you both!
7. When I was little I wore my swimsuit all the time.  Even when it was snowing out!  One day, I walked out of my house with my swimsuit on and plastic princess heals. I had my childhood blanket around my neck and went up to my dad and said, “Dad it’s really cold out.”  (I’ll remind you there was snow on the ground, LOL!)

RANDOM:

1. How would you describe your “perfect day?” I would wake up and go to breakfast and then go to mass with my grandparents.
2. What’s the most daring thing you have ever done? I have gone cliff diving with my family even though I’m terrified of heights.
3. If you could travel any where in the world where would you want to go? I would go to Bolivia, the salt flats. Its said to be where heaven meets the earth. The sky reflects as though heaven was reaching earth. I would also like to go to Africa and do charity work. I would also love to study in Germany.
4. My favorite sport to watch is tennis and my favourite sport to play is tennis. Its easy to see on tv what is going to happen and it helps you interoperate in the game what will happen.
5. Eminem is my absolute favorite singer,  next is Queen.
6. I love all animals!
7. Nicknames? My family calls me Dolly and my friends call me Hishin. Because apparently to people who dont know my last name, an “o” looks like an “i”
8. Why did you choose Shelby Photography for your senior portraits photographer?  Shelby Photography did my sister’s senior pictures and I absolutely loved them.  Cindy always connects with the person in her mind and knows their ideas.