Written by Samantha Reed, Staff Writer
As Piper readies to leave Poly, she reflects on her time here and her growth during her past four years.
For senior Piper Murphy, high school has been a time defined by growth, connection, and unforgettable experiences. Through leadership, the arts, and her personal commitments, she has navigated both the highs and lows of the past four years while building meaningful relationships along the way. Her journey reflects not only her involvement on campus but also the perspective she has gained as she prepares to take her next steps beyond graduation.
Senior Piper Murphy describes her final year of high school in one word: vibrant. She explains, “this is because it was full of amazing people, amazing times, and just a lot of busyness and ups and downs, but all super fun.” From leadership experiences to personal growth, Murphy’s high school journey reflects a balance of energy, challenge, and meaningful relationships that have shaped who she is today.
Throughout her time in high school, Murphy stayed heavily involved, building connections and making memories that will last far beyond graduation. One of her favorite moments came during an unexpected situation on a leadership trip. “My favorite high school memory was going on the ASB CADA leadership trip, and we got completely rained on, and I thought it was so fun and so funny, but everybody was miserable. I thought it was amazing.” While others focused on the discomfort, Murphy chose to embrace the moment, highlighting her positive outlook and ability to find joy in even the most chaotic situations.
Murphy credits much of her growth to the teachers and mentors who supported her along the way. She shares, “there are two people who had the biggest impact in my high school career, and they are Mrs. Douty, the ASB Director, and Ms. Walton, the choir director.” These educators played a major role in shaping her both as a student and as a person. “Mrs. Douty has just given me so many pieces of advice and wisdom, and she truly embodies what it means to be a leader. Ms. Walton I’ve had as my choir teacher for four years and has helped me grow into the person I am today because of her willingness to notice when things are hard, and she is always there for me in anything!” Their influence extended far beyond the classroom, helping Murphy develop confidence, resilience, and leadership skills.
In addition to academic and extracurricular experiences, Murphy says some of her most important lessons came from life itself. “Something I learned outside the classroom is to not take things so seriously and don’t care what others think about you in a negative way.” She continues, “this is because at the end of the day, it’s just high school, and in four years after your high school experience, you’re not going to be speaking to all the people that you spoke to in high school, and life is not that serious, and just have fun.” This mindset allowed her to navigate the social pressures of high school while staying focused on what truly matters.
As graduation approaches, Murphy reflects on the relationships she will miss the most. She emphasizes the impact of the teachers who supported her throughout her journey. “Something I’ll miss most after graduation is just the amazing teachers that I had grown close with in the past four years.” She adds, “it’ll be hard not seeing them every day because I learned so much from all of my favorite teachers, whether that’s in the classroom in AVID or out of the classroom in leadership during leadership events. I’ve just learned so much from teachers like Mr. Rivera, Mr. Schulte, Ms. Walton, Mr. Avila, and Mrs. Martinez.” These connections created a strong support system that helped guide her through both successes and challenges.
Like many students, Murphy faced difficulties during her high school experience, particularly when it came to balancing multiple responsibilities. As a competitive dancer, she often struggled to manage her time and mental health. “One of the biggest challenges that I faced throughout high school is probably struggling with balancing school and life and being a competitive dancer.” She shares, “I definitely think that it caused for my mental health to take a dive down and caused me to feel isolated until I got to be able to talk to people about how I was feeling, it helped me so much better.” Opening up and seeking support became a turning point, allowing her to regain balance and move forward stronger.
Looking ahead, Murphy has clear and meaningful goals for her future. She plans to attend California State University, Sacramento, where she will study child development and deaf studies. “My plans after graduation are to attend Sacramento State University and study child development and deaf studies as I want to become a special education teacher and have the option to become an interpreter in ASL in the future.” Her passion for this field is deeply personal and rooted in her own life experiences.
Murphy explains that her motivation comes from her family and her desire to make a difference. “In the future, I’m most excited to become a teacher and just help improve the lives of special education kids without having to make their parents go through hardships because my youngest brother is autistic, and I know what it feels like to feel isolated from the community and not being able to have resources for your children, so I just want to be able to give those resources to families with easy access.” Her goal is not only to teach but to advocate for families and create a more supportive and inclusive environment for students with special needs.
As she prepares to leave high school behind, Murphy offers advice to underclassmen who are still navigating their own journeys. “Some advice that I’ll give to the underclassmen is just take everything one day at a time. Don’t be so quick to graduate and get to the next step.” She adds, “Just live in the moment and soak everything up. It sounds cliché, but it’s so true, be present in everything you do.” Her message reflects the growth and perspective she has gained over the past four years.
As she looks toward the future, Murphy leaves behind a legacy of resilience, positivity, and purpose. The lessons she has learned, the challenges she has overcome, and the relationships she has built will continue to guide her as she pursues a career dedicated to helping others. With clear goals and a strong sense of compassion, she is ready to make a lasting impact in the lives of those she hopes to serve.