Englewood High School is home to many intelligent students. But what is their secret to success in the classroom and at the school? We learned they highlight academic success while showing the importance of hard work and strategic planning.
Seniors Kira Cole and Dylan Noll are ranked at the top of the Class of 2026. “I would say I’m a pretty good student. I’m ranked second in the class, so that kind of vouches for me a little bit. I’d say I’m a hard-working student. I wouldn’t say I’m a natural, super smart, book smart person. While I do think I am smart, I’d say the hard work and the effort are really where it comes from,” Noll said.
Noll’s hard work started in 9th grade with a plan. He worked to be a good student. “I think a lot of people misunderstand it as it’s going to be so hard because you’re not going to have everything together. But teachers understand that. They know that things are put together for you to excel as long as you put the work in. I put a lot of hard work in, so I was able to pass with all A’s. And it’s not because I had everything figured out and I knew everything already, but it’s just because it was set up so I could succeed as long as I put the effort in.”
His biggest strategy is to focus on one thing at a time. “You know, if that’s an assignment or an essay or it’s working on studying and taking notes, I kind of tackle one thing and one subject in particular at a time, focusing on that.”
Noll is a multi-sport athlete and has to balance school with sports. “Doing sports with schoolwork can be really hard if you have weak time management skills, but it can be super easy if your time management skills are decent. The coaches are always going to understand. If you have a test, if you have a little bit extra studying, you might be a little distracted. Just make sure you’re talking to your coaches, talking to your teachers, and then planning your time.”
Kira Cole is also an athlete and an academic. Her approach to achieving high academic status is simple but needs to be said. She starts by attending classes regularly, completing and turning in assignments on time, and participating in class. “I’m here almost every day, I do all of my work, and I make sure to turn it in on time and pay attention in my classes.”
Cole is hoping her hard work pays off with money for college. “I’m a finalist for Daniel’s Fund Scholarship, that’s a full ride.” It means her education will be paid for in full.
She has faced and understands the challenges of balancing studies with sports. “I use my off blocks and any free time that we have in class to make sure I’m caught up on all my work.”
Noll says he has had to make up assignments but knows how to talk to teachers about his work. “The biggest thing to do is talk to your teachers. First, what assignment is most important, and start tackling them by what’s due next, and what’s the most important assignment. If you start trying to tackle everything at once, or do it all in one day, you’re not going to get it done. You’re going to give up. Tackle the things that are due first, and you’ll be just fine.”
