BENTONVILLE — What do you think will be some of the biggest challenges for your generation?
Karrie Michelle Butler: Something that many American citizens don’t realize is that slavery still exists in America and around the world. I think this is one of the biggest challenges of our generation because sex trafficking and other forms of slave trade are still affluent and difficult to stop. The first step is making aware to the public that this problem still exists. Twenty-seven million people are in slavery today. Next is to do something. This is easier said than done because each rescue operation to save people from slavery requires money to finance that operation, and after their rescue, special attention and rehabilitation are needed. Finally, we need to make students of our generation and other young adults alert of how they can be trapped or tricked into slavery. Slavery is escalating, and if our generation doesn’t stop it, who will?
Jagdeep Kaur: The challenges that will be faced by my generation will be problems that perhaps past generations have not faced. In the United States today, graduates and students are not only competing nationally, but internationally, as well. We will be put to the test, and this will cause us to strive for excellence and work with all our might. Job competing is a challenge, but that can be overcome if one works hard. A challenge that can’t be overcome solely by one’s hard work is the threat of the debt and the bankruptcy of the Social Security fund. Money for Social Security is being depleted at a fast rate and there is not enough revenue to compensate for it. At the same time, the national debt seems to be a bottomless pit where it keeps growing. My generation will have to figure out solutions for both of these economic crises or else the stability of the country can deteriorate.
How do you think your school has prepared you for those challenges?
Butler: My time at Ambassadors for Christ Academy has prepared me to battle slavery because my teachers challenged me to go for the impossible. After all, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)” But also they taught me to recognize the problems and correct them. The whole purpose of school is to learn, and if you make a mistake you correct it. This is the same issue. Slavery is the mistake and it needs to be corrected.
Kaur: My time in Bentonville High School has greatly prepared me for challenges. It offers vigorous courses, which really test the stamina and the work ethic of the student. In addition to numberless Advanced Placement courses, it also has the International Baccalaureate program. The program is designed to challenge students mentally and physically. Countless hours have to be set aside for the Extended Essay, which consists of the student doing vast amount of research on a topic of their choosing. The program and the Advanced Placement classes have caused me to better myself and work harder toward my goals. The classes themselves prepare one tremendously, but the teachers play a greater part in this. The teachers make the students aware of ongoing troubles and how it can impact us.
What advice do you have for incoming freshman?
Butler: To incoming freshman, I would say the time goes a lot faster than you realize. When I was a freshman, one of my teachers said, “You only have four years.” At the time I thought that was so far away. Yet now, thinking back, I realized how short only four years is and how quickly senior year creeps up on you. Start working hard on good grades from the beginning because once you start slacking off it is hard to make up for it. Always do your homework and teachers will respect your dependability and effort. Find a balance between schoolwork, extracurricular activities and friends that brings you success in the classroom, but also enjoyment in life. Be sure to thank your teachers because they invest their skills into you so that you will become a better person. Last of all, I would say don’t stress about high school, but enjoy it. There is more to life than high school, but if you work hard it will help prepare you for your future and mold you into the person you will become.
Kaur: My advice for incoming freshman would be to get involved in clubs they are earnestly interested in as soon as possible. It is best to be only a member of four to five clubs, but to be extremely active in these clubs. Colleges really look at your input to clubs when assessing your applications, and they view quality over quantity. Having a keen interest in a club can cause one to excel in it and hold a leadership position down the road. The hardest thing I had difficulty throughout high school was time management. No matter how much I prepared beforehand, I always ended up not having enough time at the end of the day, which in turn led to all-nighters. I strongly urge freshman to start managing their time so they can get in a habit for it.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Butler: In 10 years, I hope to be married and have a good career, but if that is not God’s will for my life, I will follow him where he leads. My desire is to help people. In what specific area I’m not sure yet, but it will be for God’s glory. Whether I’m married and have a good career or am helping children in Uganda in 10 years, it will be because God put me there. Helping others is my passion, and I will still be doing it in 10 years. No matter where I go, I will work hard and I will not quit.
Kaur: In 10 years, I see myself having graduated from both the University of Arkansas and medical school. I plan on going to the University of Arkansas for pre-med and after that, hopefully, I’ll acquire admission to medical school. There I hope to excel and obtain the training and learning I need to accomplish my dream of becoming a pediatrician. Residency will be my next step in fulfilling my dream, and I hope I’ll be given a spot of residency in the department of pediatrics. After completing my residency, I plan to work as a full-time pediatrician in a clinic and maybe one day open up my clinic.