Fall Senior Portraits with Family at Marvin Efird Park in Waxhaw

Graduation is right around the corner for my high school senior clients. That means it is time to start sharing their amazing pictures and future plans! First up is my long-time client Helen and her family. Helen is a senior at Charlotte Latin School and will be attending Williams College in the fall. She is a running superstar who loves to travel and be in the great outdoors. Her high school career is full of outstanding accomplishments and unique experiences. I can’t wait to watch her shine at Williams where her athletic commitments include both track and cross country, and her academic plans include Sociology and Spanish.

You can read all about this amazing senior below including her summer plans to summit Mt. Kilimanjaro! But first let’s look at her gorgeous portraits. Helen was photographed last fall with her family at Marvin Efird Park in Waxhaw, North Carolina just south of Charlotte. She chose three different looks for her senior portraits, all showcasing her casual elegance and boho style. I adore the loose curls and center braid she paired with these looks too.

Next Chapter: Williams College

“I commited to Williams because it provides the best academic program for me as well as a fantastic athletic situation. I am more excited than ever about becoming an Eph in the fall!“

Helen H, Class of 2023

Helen first became familiar with Williams College in the summer before sixth grade when she embarked on her first wilderness adventure – a two-week long trip with Overland Summers that included camping, hiking and biking across New England.

“This was the first time I had ever gone on a trip without my parents, and I remember being absolutely terrified but extremely excited at the prospect of spending two weeks in the company of three adults and 11 other kids I’d never met before. This trip was my first foray into the outdoor activities I now love so much as well as being the first truly independent thing I had done, and it just so happened that the starting point for the trip was the Williams campus. I remember how beautiful the campus was when I first saw it, but I didn’t fully appreciate it because I was so nervous about the trip I was about to embark on. In a way, going back to Williams as a student is a full circle moment for me. The campus represents two important starting points in my life: the start of my love for the outdoors and the start of my college experience.“

High School Honors & Activities

Helen is the reigning CISAA Cross Country Girls’ Conference Champion and CISAA Girls’ Runner of the Year. During her time at Charlotte Latin School she was nominated twice for Charlotte Observer Athlete of the Week, and garnered First Team All Conference Honors as well as All State Honors. When not running, Helen enjoys musical theater, improv comedy, creative writing and more. She is a member of the National Spanish Honors Society, Tri-M Music Honors Society and recently played Peter Pan in the school’s production of Shrek the Musical. She also earned three Honorable Mentions in the Scholastic Art and Writing Competition and currently serves as the Lead Layout Editor of Blue Review, Latin’s literary arts magazine.

During her Junior year, Helen attended the High Mountain Institute, a semester school located in Leadville, Colorado. She lived with 46 other students and participated in backpacking expeditions as well as a winter camping/backcountry skiing expedition, all while continuing her academic education.

Summer Plans + Summiting Mt. Kilimanjaro

Helen and her family plan to visit Tanzania this summer for a safari. While there she will attempt to summit Mt Kilimanjaro with her dad. He successfully completed the climb when he was 25 years old and Helen has always wanted to experience it with him. It will take them one week to climb the mountain. In addition to this trip, she plans to attend the High Mountain Institute’s 25 year reunion and will head to Williams in early August to start training with the cross country team.

Helen – You are amazing. I have loved watching you grow up and am so impressed with the amazing human you have become. You are a joy to know and an inspiration to so many. You put so much into everything that you do and it shows. Thank you for letting me be a part of your senior year. I’m so proud to know you.

Click here to see more senior sessions from the blog.