Another school year has ended and for many students, this year of school was their last. For Durant High School senior Sarrysa Anne Eaves, walking across the stage was a personal triumph. According to her Eaves, she almost didn’t graduate high school due to number of absences.
For the past four years, the seventeen-year-old has carried a 4.0 grade point average, was chosen as Senior of the Year by the Kiwanis Club of Durant, given the OU Valedictorian Scholar Award, involved in the Miss DHS Pageant, member of the Oklahoma Honor Society, Oklahoma Indian Student Honor Society, a Parson’s Scholar and the National Honor Society, among many more awards and recognitions. She has received numerous awards and medals for her vocal performances and was an active member in Key Club.
During her high school years, she spent many hours volunteering and raising money for different organizations such as Children’s Pediatric Cancer Research and the Durant High School library. She also enjoys volunteering and singing for patients at DaVita Dialysis Center where her mother works as an RN. “I like going to the dialysis center and helping them to have a better day,” she said.
She had quite a year, dealing with seizures caused by a medication used to treat her autoimmune disease. She missed many days of school, but would often refuse to leave school even though she wasn’t feeling well. Eaves was sent to many doctors, psychologists and psychiatrists to figure out what was causing the seizures.
“I’m certifiably sane,” she joked.
While watching an episode of one of her favorite shows, “House,” Eaves noticed a similar situation. A character on the show was having seizures while on the same medication Eaves was using. Eaves said once she stopped her medication, the seizures went away.
In the fall, Eaves will be attending Southeastern Oklahoma State University where she will major in bio-engineering and minor in vocal. After graduating with her bachelor’s degree, she plans to spend some time doing research and traveling to “get an idea of what people need.”
She also plans to continue volunteering.
“Volunteering makes you feel good and makes a positive influence on everything,” she said. Eaves offers a word of advice for those still in high school.
“Stay determined,” she said. “Don’t let anything stop you from reaching your goals.”
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