With a sense of humor and a naturally confident personality, Harper Boyt knows how to make an impression.

“I’d say I’m pretty funny. I’m funny, I’m smart, I’m beautiful, I’m gorgeous, I’m like, oh, just the most pleasant person you’ve ever met, basically,” she said.

Beneath the sarcasm is a student who’s found genuine passion in the unexpected. Harper didn’t grow up loving to write, in fact, she was firmly against it, until a class changed everything.

“I actually used to hate writing,” she said. “But then after I joined journalism, I really loved it.”

Now, Harper enjoys writing opinion-based pieces, especially editorials and reviews. Though she finds hard news a bit dull, she’s grown to appreciate how writing lets her explore ideas and express herself.

“News is just kind of boring,” she said. “Oh no, the Hickman vending machines are on timers, what will we do?”

Her humor showed up again when she explained how she got involved in speech and debate, a decision strongly influenced by her dad’s insistence on extracurriculars.

“My dad said I have to either join a club or join a sport. And never in my life am I doing a sport. Absolutely not. That is not happening,” she said. “So I was like, ‘Oh, well, speech and debate, that sounds fun.”

What started as the lesser of two evils turned out to be something that helped Harper find her voice. The experience pushed her to step out of her comfort zone and speak up more, even if she still describes herself as the type who waits for someone else to start the conversation.

“I like my personality,” she said. “I think there’s like, some charm in being a little awkward.”

Harper hopes to keep growing more confident and outgoing, while staying true to the humor and honesty that make her, well, Harper.