By: Sophia Braida
Maria Barretta, a senior at Wallenpaupack, is best known for her involvement and positive attitude. She spends her free time surrounded by friends, listening to music, and watching various types of movies and shows. She is also extremely active within the school community, participating in NHS, SADD, General Council, VIP, and Mini Thon. Out of all her activities, VIP stands out as her favorite. Having consistent chances to volunteer, serve, and give back to others has given her a strong sense of responsibility and accountability.
After graduation, Maria plans to attend a four-year college. While she isn’t certain as to what specific career she would like to pursue, she is drawn towards the field of healthcare or possibly chemical engineering. The influence of her math and science teachers during the past several years helped shape this a lot. This year in particular, she found herself fascinated by anatomy and understanding how the body works. This fascination is what helped her discover her passion to enter a medical field.
Maria is proud of her receiving high honors for three consecutive years. Some of her favorite Wallenpaupack memories come from outside the classroom; spending after-school hours and weekends volunteering with her friends. Community events like the Hawley Hoedown and Winterfest are memories she cherishes most, as they allowed her to do what she loves most while also having unforgettable moments with her friends.
During her senior year, Maria hopes to maintain her strong academic performance while making the most of her time with her friends and family. Looking further ahead, she imagines herself in another state, living in her own home, starting a family of her own, and adopting many pets. More than anything, she hopes to be remembered for the way she treated others with both respect and genuine kindness.
