A kind-hearted soul with an infectious sense of humor, Lola Faniel’s journey to discovering herself and building lifelong friendships has been inspiring. From a shy, socially reserved elementary school student to a confident and compassionate freshman in high school, Faniel has had quite the transformation. Her story is filled with moments of struggle, growth, and the discovery of the power of kindness and humor in making meaningful connections.

Lola’s experience in elementary school was far from easy. Struggling with speaking and socializing with others her age, she found it difficult to make friends. “If I could make friends I just tried to be as friendly as possible,” Lola recalls.

However, despite these challenges, she always tried to remain approachable whenever the opportunity arose. It wasn’t until middle school that Lola began to feel more at ease. Surrounded by new faces and with a wider circle of peers who shared common interests, she found herself making more friends.

“I had much more friends in middle school than elementary because I was opened up to new people, ones I had common interests with,” Lola says. She learned that opening up to others and connecting over shared passions made all the difference.

As Lola entered high school, her social life grew even bigger, eventually finding herself a group of friends who support and encourage her. One of the important moments in her journey was before her first official year at Mt SAC Early College Academy (MECA) when she attended summer school leading into 9th grade. Despite feeling nervous on the first day, Lola’s confidence grew throughout the day and by the end, she had three new friends, thanks to Leyna Tran, who approached her and asked to be friends.

“Nice people seem to be around every corner at MECA,” Lola said. Lola was pleasantly surprised by the kindness and all-embracing nature she found at MECA, where most people she encountered were warm and open-hearted.

An important difference marked the transition from middle school to high school: the size of the school. Coming from Edgewood, a much larger school with over 1500 students, Lola was initially overwhelmed by the much smaller and more intimate community at MECA. However, the change proved to be positive, as she quickly realized that the supportive, close-knit environment allowed her to thrive in ways she never thought possible. “

Being at a much smaller school with a more supportive and kinder community was a nice change,” Lola said. MECA’s tight community and the genuine kindness of its people provided the perfect space for Lola to grow both personally and socially.

Lola’s excitement as a freshman was noticeable, especially about one particular aspect of high school: the opportunity to choose her own college classes. While this prospect was nerve-wracking, Lola was eager to take on the challenge and the responsibility that came with making her own academic choices. “I am most excited in my freshman year about being able to choose my first college classes,” she shares.

However, with great opportunities came great challenges, and one of the biggest problems Lola faced during high school was managing her workload. She didn’t let it overwhelm her, though. Lola adopted a mindset of tackling each assignment one step at a time, prioritizing efficiency and perseverance. “I just took things one assignment at a time as efficiently as I could,” Lola explains.

Balancing schoolwork and social life was not easy, but Lola found a method that worked for her. By working hard throughout the week and reserving the weekend for

herself, she created a routine that allowed her to recharge. “I work very hard during the week and try to leave the weekend to myself,” she notes. She learned the importance of time management, but also of taking time for herself. Her advice to others who might be juggling a busy schedule? “Get things done ASAP if you can and have a good support system,” she advises. With that balance in place, Lola could continue to foster her friendships while succeeding academically.

Lola’s friendships, especially the ones she made in high school, have been one of the greatest highlights of her life. She has made several close friends—Sophia, Jasmine, Adrian/Mateo, Michael, Leyna, Trinity, Gemma, Rena, and Savannah—who have become a central part of her journey.

These friendships are built on mutual respect, shared laughter, and kindness. “I think humor and kindness make a good friend,” Lola says. To her, humor plays an essential role in creating strong bonds with others, and she believes that kindness is one of the best qualities anyone can have in a friend.

Looking back on her high school experience, Lola reflects on the ups and downs with gratitude. While elementary school was tough, and middle school presented its own set of challenges, high school has been surprisingly fun, despite the demanding workload. “My school has many ups and downs. Elementary school was probably the worst, Middle was traumatizing, but High school has surprisingly been very fun (minus the workload),” Lola laughs.

One of her most memorable moments was during the first semester at MECA, when the school held an ice cream social. Being surrounded by friends and enjoying something as simple as her favorite sweet was a small moment that had a lasting impact. “Though ice cream is my favorite sweet, being surrounded by the majority of the friends I had made, having a good time was perfect,” Lola said. recalling the moment with a smile. For Lola, it’s these small moments that mean the most, and they serve as reminders of how far she’s come.

Beyond her high school years, Lola has her sights set on a future where she can help others more profoundly. She dreams of becoming a nurse, starting her career in bedside nursing and eventually transitioning to something more specialized, such as radiology or travel nursing. Her experience caring for a close family member during their illness, which ultimately led to their passing, has deeply influenced her decision.

“I had to take care of a close family member until his death. It was hard for both of us, but they were some of the last few memories we could create, and some comfort for him in a difficult time,” Lola reflects. She understands how important it is for those in long-term care to have a compassionate, supportive person by their side.

In conclusion, Lola’s story is one of resilience, friendship, and the power of kindness. From overcoming social anxiety to discovering her passion for helping others, Faniel has proven that a positive attitude and the willingness to connect with others can lead to incredible transformations. To those just starting their journey at MECA, Lola’s advice is simple: “Stay on top of your work, try new things, and enjoy the perks.” It’s clear that with her future in nursing and a lifetime of memories in the making, Lola’s journey is just beginning. But there’s still so much more ahead for her.