“Hold on a minute. Let me go help Chance with her math problem,” Senior Hannah Smith said, preceding her response to my first question.

As I sat down to talk with Smith in the media center, it was immediately clear that she had strong interpersonal skills.

Smith assisted a classmate with homework and acknowledged a passerby with a warm smile and kind greeting all within the first 10 minutes of the interview.

“I love helping people and being social,” Smith said. “It makes me feel better about myself, and helps the other person, too.”

It was obvious that Smith’s relationships with other people are an important part of who she is.

Junior Carryn White has known Smith since the age of 4.

“Hannah has always been there for me,” White said. “(She) has always been someone I could look up to and go to for help.”

Smith’s personality is more than just her dedication to friendship. She is involved in many activities that give insight into her personality.

Smith identified student council as an activity that had great influence on her.

“It has helped me get out and socialize and meet new people,” she said.

White recounted a specific student council incident that highlighted Smith’s personality. Smith was running to be on the board of delegates, and had five minutes to prepare a speech that was presented to 10 schools.

“She ended up getting the position,” White said.

Being social, however, does not explain the successes Smith has achieved. Her determination is another characteristic that stands out.

Mr. Matt Gildner, girls’ basketball coach, said Smith has a “drive to achieve more than what she already has.”

Senior Richie Bennett agreed with this statement.

“She is willing to do what is needed and willing to try her best,” Bennet said.

Though Smith is full of determination, she does not lack compassion. Gildner recalled a basketball scrimmage when Smith knocked a girl over going after a loose ball.

“After gaining possession of the ball, however, Hannah stops playing to help the girl up,” Gildner said.

Smith said, with a grin and slight chuckle, that she almost forgot to pass the ball to a teammate before going back to help.

“She is a bit goofy,” Gildner said, “but has the ability to buckle down and take care of business.”

The “goofy” side Gildner mentioned was present in the interviews.

Smith’s statements like, “I am very good at multiple accents,” and, “My favorite animals in order are peacock, squirrel, raccoon,” came up throughout the interview.

As White put it, Smith “is not afraid to speak her mind or be herself around anyone.”

Often, her answers were followed by a few spins in the roller chair she sat in. Occasionally, she struck a random pose with a funny face and flipped her long brown hair over her left shoulder.

Smith took every opportunity available to showcase who she was, not holding back at all. She admittedly liked the attention of the interview.

Her goofy side is more of an accent to her other qualities, however. It does not hinder her from getting things done or pursuing her goals.

“She knows how to take control,” Bennet said, “but also how to relax.”

Smith’s unique personality had a hand in shaping her career choice as well. She plans to attend Michigan State University’s James Madison College to study social relations.

James Madison College is a residential liberal arts college focused on multidisciplinary programs in the social sciences.

Smith was attracted to this field of study because she is interested in “the American way and how people interact.”

“Social relations is about using history to solve current problems,” Smith said. “You have to be social and hard working.”

By those qualifications, Smith definitely fits into the field.

Ultimately, Smith hopes to go to Washington D.C. to work for the government.

“I love democracy,” Smith said casually.

Judging from the interviews, she will not stop until she gets there.

Whether the label of bubbly, outgoing, determined, or quirky best defines her personality, it is clear these unique characteristics make her who she is.

“I am glad that people think that of me,” Smith said as she showed a classmate the Hunter rain boots she had pictured on her phone. “It means I am doing something right with my life.”

As for the rain boots, she said she would gladly accept them if anyone was looking for a Christmas present to get her.