Meet the incredible, sweet, beautiful, & love-able, Class of 2020 senior from Pekin Community High School,  Briona Beckham!!  We had the very best time together during her senior session.  And the colors of the trees turning for fall were at their peak;  making the most amazing backdrop for her super cute outfits that were absolutely perfect for fall!!

Briona would describe her personality as “quiet at first, but a fun person to be around once I get to know someone. I always try to be as kind and caring as I can possibly be. I love new experiences and making memories with the people I love most.”

After high school, she plans on attending ICC to pursue a career in the Medical Field.  “I am looking forward to graduating because I feel like it’s a big accomplishment in my life. I am very proud to have kept all A’s in my classes for my first three years of high school, and I hope to continue the trend for my senior year. I’m proud of all the hard work and effort I’ve put forth in my schooling, and am excited to celebrate that at graduation.”

Briona’s favorite teacher is her Spanish teacher, Mrs. Hamilton. “She is so fun, kind, and willing to help you with anything. She desires to see you succeed and never thinks twice when you ask for her help. My favorite class is Anatomy and Physiology because I enjoy learning about the structures and functions of our bodies. I find it interesting to see how the body works on a daily basis.”

In school, Briona plays on the volleyball team. She also participates in volleyball outside of school through Illini Elite Volleyball Club. She works at Elevate Trampoline Park in EP, loves to travel and visit new places, and make memories with her family and friends!

Some of her favorite high school memories involve the school dances. “I love the chance to dress up and feel pretty. Plus, I have the opportunity to spend time with my friends and dance the night away. These are some of the best memories I’ve ever made in high school and I look forward to more!”

“My idea of the perfect day would be a warm, sunny day spent out on a boat in the middle of a lake. I would spend the whole day sitting out in the sun, swimming, tubing, and skiing. I would be with my friends and family making memories that I could carry with me forever.”

Three things on my bucket list: 1. Travel out of the country 2. Learn to play piano 3. Go on a cruise!

“My hero is my aunt for many reasons. She has been through a lot just within the last few years, but she continues to keep a smile on her face and on everyone’s around her. She never fails to make us laugh. Despite all that she has been through, works hard and provides for her family’s wants and needs. She’s always loving and supportive in the best way she can be. I look up to her and am proud to call her my aunt.”

FOOD and FAMILY:

1. The most unusual thing I’ve ever eaten is probably fried calamari with ranch. I’ve never been very into seafood, and this was something I had never heard of. It was a little chewy, but I did end up liking it a lot and I would definitely eat it again.
2. My favorite family recipe has to be my grandma’s homemade sugar cookies. They are so good and I ask her every holiday to make them for me! They’re so sweet and soft. Honestly, the best cookies I’ve ever had!
3. If I could eat only one meal for the rest of my life, I would want to eat Panera’s Mac-n-Cheese, it’s the best ever!
4. My favorite family trip was to Lake of the Ozarks because I got to spend an entire week in a huge house with my whole family. We went out on the lake almost everyday and played lots of games together. I loved having that family time together!
5. My favorite childhood memory is when my parents gave me my first puppy. They had sat her in a tote with little beanie boo stuffed animals, so I didn’t see her at first. Then she started to move and my face lit up because I was so happy. She was so small and sweet.
6. My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving. My favorite part about any holiday is getting together with my family and just being together. I have a pretty big family that likes to play games whenever we’re all together.
7. The best thing about my parents is that they support me in everything I do and push me to be the best person that I can be. They have always worked so hard to give me the best life possible. They never fail to give me unconditional love each and every day. I’m so thankful to have two people in my life that are willing to help me with anything I ask for and provide me with anything I need. They truly are the best parents any girl could have ever asked for. I’m so lucky to have them in my life and I wouldn’t trade them for the world.

RANDOM Fun Facts:

1. The most daring thing I’ve ever done has to be zip-lining. I remember the first time I went with my family I didn’t want to jump off the high platform, but after I was pushed to do it I’ve loved it ever since!
2. If I could travel anywhere in the world, I would want to go to the Bahamas because it’s somewhere that I’ve never been before. It looks like a beautiful and relaxing place to spend some time in the sun.
3. I am a big country music fan, so pretty much anything country I will love. My favorite singers/bands are Hunter Hayes, Dan & Shay, Chris Young, Brett Eldredge, and Brett Young.
4. I am most proud of how hard I work in my schooling. I love being able to tell people that I have been able to keep a 4.0 GPA so far in my high school career. I hope to continue this trend with my senior year and be able to say that I finished high school with a 4.0.
5. I love wearing fall colors because I think they look good with my hair and skin color. Reds, oranges, yellows, burgundy. On top of that, fall is my favorite season and I love all the little things that come with it. Sweaters, cozy blankets, and fuzzy socks are the best!
6. My usual school style – Usually, I wear leggings and a sweatshirt to school because I like to feel comfy when I’m sitting in a desk all day. However, I have my days where I dress up and wear a cute sweater or dressy shirt with some jeans to school.
7. Why did you choose Shelby Photography for your senior portraits? I love the creativity and effort put into the photos. You can tell that Cindy takes a lot of time to make her pictures look amazing for others to see. I want someone who cares to make me look good in my photos, and I know that Cindy wants to do that with every picture she takes.  Her photos are all unique in their own way. No one’s photos seem to look alike, yet they all show creativity. All the girls within the photos look genuinely happy. These photos are guaranteed to make anyone feel beautiful.