Crookston High School Junior Shayla Azure has taken advantage of the High School experience and shows no signs of slowing down.
So far this year, Azure has participated in Speech, One-Act, Basketball, Three-Act, band, Knowledge Bowl, LEO Club, and prom committee. Azure also used to be on the Volleyball team. After deciding not to participate in that this fall, she found yet another activity to fill the little free time she had. “I still technically do after-school daycare,” said Azure. “Just when I have time after school. It’s fun, I like it, I like the children, and I gain experience from it.” On top of this vigorous schedule of high school activities, she has made the honor roll for a third straight semester with a 4.0 GPA. If that wasn’t enough, Azure also serves as a supervisor at the Crookston Taco Johns.
With winter activities coming to an end, Azure is now getting geared up for softball. One was too difficult to pick when asked about her favorite activity. However, Azure was able to narrow her favorite activity to participate in regarding arts and athletics. “For arts, it’s definitely speech,” said Azure. “I enjoy competing by myself and as a team also, and I’m a captain for that.” Shayla decided that softball was her favorite sport and has been since second grade. She believes there’s no better feeling than hitting the ball. What Shayla enjoys most about all of these activities is the team aspect they bring and how it takes effort from everybody to come out with a victory.
Many of Shayla’s activities overlap during their respective seasons, and she frequently has to notify her coaches/instructors that she can’t make some events or games. Azure explained that she has always enjoyed being a busy person and is always looking for the next activity. “Even when I was younger, whenever I was done with daycare,” said Azure. “My mom would tell us what we were doing, and I would say, ‘What else are we doing for the day?’ it would be six o’clock, and I would want to do more. So I’ve always been into doing a lot.”
With another year at CHS, Azure wants to encourage her peers to participate in all possible activities and enjoy their high school experience. “They should do as much as they can when they have the time,” said Azure. “You can learn a lot with teamwork, and if you go to college or not, you’re going to want that experience wherever you go, because there isn’t anywhere you won’t need it. I enjoy it all, even if I don’t know exactly where I’m going every day.”
Shayla has aspirations to go to college after her senior. Her top choices are The University of Florida, the University of Tennessee, or the University of North Carolina. When asked why these universities, she simply stated that she doesn’t like the cold weather.
CHS Speech Coach Brandon Adams spoke highly of Shayla and her impressive leadership skills. “Shayla continues to impress me,” said Adams, “With all of the activities that she takes on, how dedicated she is to her education and extra curricular’s and also the leader she has been for the speech team.”
