Since 2012, a small blonde bundle of energy has been practically bouncing through the halls of the HCS upper school; her name is Skylar Patterson, she is a member of the National Honor Society, and she plays short stop for the Lady Cougars softball team.

Perhaps the one quality for which Skylar is best known is her seemingly never-ending reserve of school spirit, which she defines as, “Giving all your appreciation to your school and showing others how thankful you are to be there.”  In fact, she says she would love to see everyone at Hillcrest get as excited as she does during school functions.  Skylar can easily be spotted at pep rallies, sports events, and even some assemblies cheering, dancing, and convincing as many people as possible to join her. Some of her happiest memories at Hillcrest happened when several members of the Class of 2015 dubbed themselves “the Hype Squad” and spread their enthusiasm for cheering for the varsity boys’ basketball team at every home game to a majority of the student body.  Believing in our teams, pumping up the players and the crowd, and adding to everyone’s enjoyment is what Skylar says “it’s all about.”

Outside of school Skylar’s favorite moments are spent with her friends and making memories by having the best time possible in every circumstance.  Similarly, her advice to her peers at HCS is to “live it up because you only get one chance at high school, and when you get older, you’re going to want to laugh about the good times.”  Even her favorite bible verse, Philippians 3:14, reflects this idea of making the most of every moment: “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Skylar Patterson is an expert when it comes to living in the now, but she also has big plans for the future.  After graduation, she plans to attend Hinds Community College before transferring to the University of Mississippi Medical Center in order to become a nurse.