Meet the gorgeous, fun loving, & super sweet Class of 2017 senior, Renee Rude!!  I could take her photograph every day, all day and never get tired.. take a look and you will see why 🙂

Renee describes her personality as happy and she loves making other people laugh. She is also very determined and when she has a goal, she works very hard until she reaches it!  She says that she is quiet around people who don’t know her, but once she gets comfortable, “I’m kind of loud and crazy!”

She plans on attending college after graduating from WCHS (U of I is her dream school) and she is thinking of majoring in Kinesiology.  When she was a little girl, she wanted her own Disney Channel like Hannah Montana but once she realized she couldn’t sing or act, she decided Hollywood wasn’t the right path for her, LOL   In school, she participates in Volleyball, Track, Pep Club, Fitness Club, Wyldlife, and Travel Volleyball.  She plays volleyball all year round for WCHS and Central IL Elite. It takes alot of time and commitment but she loves the game. One of her proudest moments was during her sophomore year of volleyball season. Her team was playing Dunlap, a team they had lost twice against befre and had to win in order to get the Mid Illini Conference Title. The match went into three games and after a hard fought match, her team got the win. “I’ll never forget that feeling!”

Advice to incoming freshman: “Don’t be afraid to get involved! It makes high school so much fun.  Also, don’t wish high school away, it may seem like alot at times, but you won’t ever get these days back, make it worth lasting!”

I asked Renee to describe her perfect day, and this is what she said ~ “My perfect day would probably be spent in California with my best friends.  We would go get breakfast at the Beverly Hills Hotel and then go shopping at The Grove or walk along Rodeo drive in LA.  Then we would go sightseeing in Hollywood followed by the beach in Santa Monica because I love the ocean!

One of her favorite childhood memories is a time when she was in 8th grade. A group of her friends went sledding on a snowy day in Eureka. It was freezing cold and when they were done, they realized that no one had brought phones, so after arguing with each other for about 20 minutes, they walked about a half mile with all of their snow gear and sleds to Subway and thankfully Subway let them sue their phone to call parents so that they were stranded in Eureka forever!

Tell us something interesting about yourself: “I can do a really good impression of Chandler Bing’s ex, Janice from the tv show Friends!

Family is everything to Renee.  She says that her parents are both so supportive and push her to do her best. “I love that I can go to them for anything”  A favorite family trip was to Panama City Beach, Florida because there were so many things to do and lots of laughing and memories with the whole family.   Favorite holiday tradition: ” Every Thanksgiving, my family goes to St. Louis to my dad’s aunt and uncle’s house. I don’t get to see that side of the family very often, so I love being able to catch up with them. We always have a great time there”

Three things on my bucket list:  Live in California,  Get a PhD, and  Go to Paris

A few fun facts about Renee:

1. Favorite family recipe: Chili

2. If she could eat only one meal for the rest of her life, it would be steak

3. People that make me laugh the most are my best friends: Maddi, Sam, Abby, and McKenna

4. If I was stranded on a deserted island with only one person, it would be Nick Jonas

5. Nickname – Nee

6. Favorite singers/band: Nick Jonas, Luke Bryan, DNCE, Taylor Swift, Sam Hunt, Demi Lovato, Keith Urban, Shawn Mendes, and Hunter Hayes (Just to name a few!)

7. Favorite holiday: Christmas

8. If she could travel anywhere in the world, it would be Paris because of all of the beautiful sites!

9. Most unusual thing ever eaten: Alligator

10. Favorite type of foreign food: Quesadillas

Why did you choose Shelby Photography for your senior portraits: “I saw photos on FB and fell in love with them. The pictures seemed so personal and fit each of their personalities. They showed who they are and what their passions are!”

Renee – it has truly been a joy to get to know you and you’re family throughout this past year!  You have it all… beauty, brains, and an amazing heart!  I am the luckiest photographer EVA!  XO ~ Cindy