A girl that walked in the shadows of everyone and kept to herself. Someone who was rarely seen by many but her peers knew she was here. Constantly late, in and out of the nurse’s office, unpopular, and facing the most basic problems a high school girl could go through: Boys, peer pressure, academics, work, and senioritis.

Her 8th grade self imagined her high school career without flaws and to be completely honest, perfection. “Honestly, as an 8th grader, I thought I would be popular. I figured I would have tons of friends, and I would have way better grades. I thought I would enjoy high school, and I thought it would be the best time of my life, but I was wrong. I predicted all of that and I got the complete opposite, I’m actually surprised at how it all turned out, and I never would have thought I would be where I am right now,” Megan Morris said. Everyday, obstacles were set in front of her, one after another but that would not stop her.

She is graduating a year early and will be attending the school of her dreams. Morris defeated more than just the average senioritis. The loss of a friendship that changed her high school career but keeping another stronger than before. “Cassie Harrington has always been a great friend. We have been best friends since the sixth grade and she has been there for it all…I have no idea where I would be without her,” Morris said. Getting Involved, a motto that North has promoted for years but the void was empty for Morris. “I regret not putting myself out there more and trying new things. I regret not getting involved because I feel like that would have made my high school experience a lot better,” Morris replied.

Three years later after her first steps in North High, a bunch of “could of’s” and “should of’s” left in her thoughts in her Junior/Senior year. Morris wishes she could of done things differently but is happy with the way things are. There are times where, if she could create a time machine, she’d go back and give herself advice as she walked through North’s doors for the first time.

“I would tell my freshman self to hang on. Hang on to the friends you have, and hang on to being young because the next four years are going to go by so quick. Graduation will be here in no time. I would tell myself to get involved and enjoy it all while I still can because high school can be fun, you just have to make an effort.” Words of advice that not only she could of followed but words that can be followed by anyone.

Morris faced a more difficult challenge. One that wasn’t very spoke of, one that she didn’t like to acknowledge. A challenge that she didn’t like talking about. “I’ve never really liked telling people about my diabetes because that’s all they’ve noticed me for. I’m finally getting comfortable with it now. I’m going to have it for the rest of my life so I might as well own it.”

14 years after her diagnosis at the age of three, she is standing strong. With some help, from a dear teacher. “Mrs. McDonald really helped me through so much stuff. She was behind me 100%. I was in the hospital for two weeks and she called my mom a couple times asking how I was and if I was doing okay, most teachers now wouldn’t do that. She cared about me and I can’t explain how much I appreciate her. I haven’t talked to her since she left but she definitely made an impact on my life”

This fall, Morris will attend the University of Iowa. “I love the campus… it just seemed like the perfect school for me to attend! I’m so excited to finally get up there and get started with college, I’m nervous but more excited then anything!” Mixed feelings brewing as her high school career is coming to a close. But as her public education closes its door, she opens another to a whole new world. “College is my dream, as weird as that sounds, I have always dreamt of college because for me it symbolizes success and achievement as well as hard work,” Morris said.