Learning to Take the Leap
Joshua Lamb’s journey at Highlands Latin School has been shaped by discipline, curiosity, and trust in God’s plan. After moving to the United States from Dubai, where his family served as missionaries, Joshua found a strong community at HLS that helped shape both his character and his ambitions. Inspired by a lifelong fascination with airplanes, he recently began flight training at Bowman Field. Through studying subjects like Latin, history, and Christian studies, Joshua was prepared for the demanding work and precision required to become a pilot. He plans to attend the University of Kentucky to study Russian language while pursuing his long-term goal of becoming a pilot for the U.S. Air Force.
“Sometimes in life, you have to take risks to move on and to go into the future,” said Joshua. “For me, I know that throughout it all, the Lord is with me, and He’s helping me through every circumstance.”
What Success Really Means
Jensen Royals’ time at Highlands Latin School has been shaped by determination, resilience, and a growing understanding of what success truly means. A longtime field hockey player with high expectations for herself, Jensen learned through both athletics and academics that mistakes are not failures, but opportunities to grow. In AP Chemistry, one of the most demanding classes she has taken, she faced moments of doubt that ultimately pushed her to work harder and rely on the support of her teachers and family. Through those challenges, Jensen gained confidence in her ability to persevere through difficult things while learning to extend grace to herself along the way. She plans to attend Auburn University to study law and justice or criminology.
“Taking the hard classes proves that you can do the hard things that you set your mind to,” said Jensen. “If I know that I put in 100 percent effort, and I’m proud of what I’ve done, I would call that successful.”
Leading with Confidence
Ryan Schutte’s time at Highlands Latin School has been marked by growth in confidence, leadership, and service. Though public speaking and leadership did not come naturally to him, Ryan found opportunities at HLS that pushed him beyond his comfort zone and helped him become a leader others could rely on. As Head of the House of Patrick, he sought to foster a culture of enthusiasm, teamwork, and Christ-centered service within the house system. Through speeches, service projects, and the encouragement of those around him, Ryan discovered that leadership is not about standing alone, but learning to lead alongside others. He plans to attend the University of Louisville on a bioengineering pre-med track and hopes to continue living as a servant leader wherever he goes.
“If you had told me a couple of years ago that I was going to be the head of the house and have all these people relying on me, I would have been terrified,” said Ryan. “But seeing that I can do this has changed the confidence I have in myself.”
To the Stars Through Difficulty
Reagan Shepherd’s time at Highlands Latin School has been shaped by hard work, perseverance, and a growing love for learning. After joining HLS as a freshman, Reagan quickly discovered that the school would challenge her in ways she did not expect. Through the drama program, she learned the value of preparation and discipline after working tirelessly to earn a role on stage. Her love for Latin deepened through AP Latin, where long nights of translation and dedicated mentorship from her teachers pushed her toward deeper understanding. Reagan will attend Hillsdale College to major in Latin, where she hopes to continue studying and eventually speaking the language she has come to love.
“One of the Latin phrases that I love is ‘Ad astra per aspera’ — to the stars through difficulty,” said Reagan. “I realized that I can do things if I put the work in.”