Sponsored by Country Financial Agent Brent Bigham in Edgington.
Zach Smith, a graduating senior at Rockridge High School, has made the most of every opportunity during his four years. From band performances to academic achievement, Zach is walking away with a strong sense of purpose and community. One of his favorite memories is attending senior prom, an event that brought together friends and classmates for a night he won’t forget.
Zach developed a passion for history early in his school career, but he gives special credit to his U.S. history teacher, Mr. Seeley, for deepening that interest. “He dives deep into subjects and is just really good at teaching,” Zach said. Outside the classroom, Zach played saxophone in both the band and jazz band and was active in the National Honor Society.
“Being part of NHS means a lot. It gives me a chance to give back to our community,” he shared. That sense of connection is what he values most about Rockridge. “It’s a close-knit school. Everybody knows everybody. It’s like a big family.”
In the fall, Zach will attend the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to study kinesiology. His ultimate goal? To become a physical therapist. “I started weightlifting about four years ago, and I became really fascinated by how the human body works. I want to help people get back to the physical activities they love.”
Zach leaves Rockridge with not just memories, but with a mission: to help others heal, grow, and move forward.