Savannah Kayemba, a Junior, has built a reputation as a dedicated track athlete and sprinter here at HSE, competing in the 200 meter, 400 meter, and as part of a 4×100 meter relay team, but her schedule doesn’t stop when practice ends. Between maintaining strong grades and contributing to HSE’s very own Southeastern Media Network, Kayemba has learned how to balance a demanding mix of commitments.
“It definitely gets overwhelming sometimes,” Kayemba reports. “There are days where I go straight from school to practice, then to an entirely different school to shoot my team’s sport, then home to homework, as well as getting my photos posted on time. But recently, I’ve learned how to manage my time better.”
That skill of time management is one of the most essential aspects to being a student athlete, as Kayemba has learnt. From pushing herself at track practice every day after school, as well as dealing with personal health issues, and then transitioning to finishing homework for her AP classes, and other special projects for her SSN team, Savannah Kayemba has proved that staying organized and planning ahead helps her keep everything on track.
“If I know that I have a big assignment due, or if I have a project deadline coming up, I try to start it early, even if it’s just a little bit at a time,” she states. “Track takes a lot of energy, so I can’t leave everything to the last minute.”
Her involvement in SSN additionally adds another layer to her already busy schedule, especially as Kayemba has contributed the past 3 semesters to the program. Whether she’s helping with baseball coverage, her current spring sport SSN team, or working behind the scenes on special projects with her classmates and friends, Kayemba enjoys being a part of something that connects students to their larger school community.
“I really enjoy being involved in SSN because it’s a different way to be a part of sports, especially sports that I would’ve never have gotten the chance to experience,” Kayemba commented. “I’m not just competing, I’m also helping tell the stories of other athletes, which is really cool.”
Balancing three major responsibilities isn’t easy, but Kayemba embraces the challenge with an open mind. She credits her support system, her teammates, classmates, friends, and especially the friendships that she has made through her time here at Southeastern Media Network.
As the season draws closer to its end, and Kayemba approaches her senior year, she plans to remain focused on improving her performance while staying committed in the classroom and in the media lab.
“I don’t measure my success solely based on my performances, grades, or projects. I like to base it on my accomplishments, skills that I’ve learned, and the friendships that I’ve been able to make along the way.”
