A cadet teacher who works with Ky, a certified therapy dog in the school, Audrey greeted the students and staff in the office with a smile and watched Ky gently greet them with a nose nuzzle. But when Ky started looking for a tennis ball tucked into an office drawer, she swiftly averted the behavior that’s against his training.
“Ky, heel,” she said.
“You used your mom voice!” one of the students pointed out, laughing.
“Oh, that’s not my mom voice yet,” she assured them.
Audrey Roberts is one of Greenfield-Central’s 330 students graduating this June. Principal Jason Cary says it’s a very special class, and administration and teachers are incredibly proud of all their accomplishments.
It’s seniors like Audrey who exemplify the G-CHS profile of a graduate– departing the school corporation with citizenship, teamwork and character; and demonstrating that they can be critical thinkers and lifelong learners.
And it seems Audrey’s “mom voice” with Ky is one of the many ways she’s matured beyond her years, not just in training a service dog but in being a well-rounded student who values the high school’s resources and teachers.
“I think what makes Audrey special is that she has branched out and done so well in so many facets of her high school career,” Principal Cary said. “She knows who she is, and she is very authentic in how she carries herself. She has a maturity that far exceeds her age.”
Audrey’s passions include showing horses, French, English, choir, drama club, academic bowls and student leadership teams. Born in Lafayette, the Roberts family moved to Greenfield when Audrey was in the first grade. They have been a Cougar family ever since.
She’s the daughter of Michele Roberts and Greg Roberts; her younger brother Nathan just completed his freshman year.
Audrey was feeling nostalgic as the school year wrapped up. Eager for her next chapter of studying business management and human relations at Marian University, she was also reminiscent of all of the people that helped her along the way.
“Everyone is so supportive as a community,” she said of G-CHS. “The school wants you to succeed, and they’re also very professional in how they handle things.”
Supportive staff and teachers are one thing, she said, but she also loves that the student body supports each other from sports to drama productions to choir. It’s inspiring to see teens clap and cheer each other on, and she’s grateful.
“It’s really hard to grow and become confident in who you are if you don’t have people supporting that process,” she said. “I’ve had a whole school of people who are here to support student growth.”
Audrey chose business management as her future career because she fell in love with leading at G-CHS. She treasures the feeling of a team reaching a common goal.
She received a full tuition scholarship to attend Marian University. She’ll study world languages as well, and will even start to learn sign language because she believes communication is key to building connections with others.
She plans to live on campus, explore new clubs and choirs. And she’ll continue with quarter horse showing.
Audrey lights up when asked about showing horses. A 10-year 4-H member, Audrey also shows on a national quarter horse circuit and travels across the United States. She’s had to miss more school than most, she said, but brings her homework with her and has worked with teachers and administration to create a flexible schedule.
Cary said the school looks at each individual student to figure out what is best for them to succeed, and some students can’t be confined to a traditional schedule.
“She has proven she deserves that flexibility, and we want to do what we can to help her be successful,” he said. “We have so many other students who aren’t on a ‘traditional’ schedule, and almost all of them seem to flourish.”
Audrey is grateful for her guidance counselors, principals and teachers who have supported her along the way. Chris Sullivan was eager to take her on as a cadet teacher after she created a documentary on service dogs, for example. English teacher Laken Rosing not only prepared her students for the college AP test, but also for life and how important it is to choose words to communicate well.
Amanda Brown has taught Audrey French for four years. Audrey is impressed with how Brown cares for her students– having food on hand for those who need something to eat, offering advice and teaching about both French and life.
Brown says Audrey has made an impact on her as well. Brown appreciates Audrey’s leadership in French class, helping other students not only with studying, but with kind words or a piece of chocolate from her “sanity stash.”
“Audrey and I have had many talks about life and the future over the past few years,” Brown said. “Part of her sense of responsibility, punctuality and self comes from the fact she is an old soul in a world that doesn’t know what it wants out of teens. She wants to succeed, lead a fulfilling life, and have a career and education that contributes to the betterment of society, not just her local community.”
Superintendent Dr. Harold Olin said Audrey Roberts is one of the many students that makes G-C proud.
“She is a fantastic student, who is so well-rounded,” he said. “She took top honors for both World Language and English Language Arts at the senior awards program. She has also been a big part of our performing arts programs. We are incredibly proud of her.”
Audrey leads other students by example, Cary added. Not one to seek the spotlight, she simply tries to be the best version of herself that she can be.
Heading off to college soon, Audrey simply says, “I feel ready.”
She hopes her peers take full advantage of the resources at G-CHS. She’s not just talking about the high level of academic courses and clubs, but also the caring professionals that are ready and eager to help students achieve their goals.
“They want us to succeed; they don’t want to see a student who goes nowhere in life,” she said. “They’re ready to help us, but sometimes you have to be the one to reach out, you have to have some responsibility there; you have to be willing to show you want to grow and be responsible. Reach out and ask for help; you have to have enough responsibility to accept the advice they’re giving you even if it’s not easy.”
By Maribeth Vaughn
