This collection of mini-stories compiled by members of the Royal Courier staff invites members of the community to share their thoughts as they return to begin a new year.
Behind the Wheel at Last by Sean Lui
For many high schoolers, getting a car is the ultimate goal. While it’s easy to see it as just a way to get around, for Enrique Diaz, his early birthday present represents a major shift in his life. After his parents originally told him “we will think about it,” they surprised him with his own set of wheels, changing his daily routine and his perspective on growing up.
“It was a total surprise because I asked my parents for a car and they replied, ‘maybe,’ Diaz said. “I was super happy and very emotional.”
This milestone matters to students because it’s often the first real step toward being an adult. Having a car isn’t just about the luxury of driving; it’s about the shift from being a passenger to being the person in charge of your own time. For students at ILS, this kind of freedom is a rite of passage that bridges the gap between childhood and the “real world.”
For Diaz, the gift is extra special because of the effort his parents put into it. He recognizes that his parents were willing to sacrifice to make him happy, which has actually helped their relationship grow. Even though he is less dependent on them now, the trust they placed in him has made their bond stronger.
“I think it’s important for students to have something like this because it’s our first real taste of independence,” Diaz said. “Having a car means I’m not just following a schedule set by my parents anymore; I’m learning how to manage my own time.”
Now that he is in the driver’s seat, Diaz is able to balance school, hanging out with friends, and going to parties all on his own. It’s a new chapter of life defined by freedom and the responsibility that comes with it.
Valentina Perez – National Honor Society Leadership by Manola Prat
Balancing academics, service hours, and leadership responsibilities is no easy task, but for senior Vale Perez, serving as vice president of National Honor Society has become one of the most meaningful parts of her high school experience.
Vale, elected vice president at the beginning of the school year, helps organize meetings, vote on decisions, and support school-wide service projects. From coordinating sessions to helping plan initiatives, her role requires both organization and commitment.
National Honor Society plays an important role on campus because it encourages students to excel academically while also giving back to the community. For many students, NHS provides leadership opportunities, service hours, and a sense of responsibility beyond the classroom, making it a key part of student life.
“Being vice president has taught me how to manage my time better and step up when people are counting on me,” she said. She explained that balancing NHS duties with schoolwork forced her to become more disciplined and focused.
Vale said one of her favorite moments was organizing a peer tutoring initiative that helped underclassmen prepare for exams.
“Seeing students actually benefit from something we planned made all the hard work worth it,” she said.
As the year continues, Perez hopes to leave a positive impact on the organization and inspire younger members to get involved. Through leadership and service, NHS continues to shape students like Perez into role models within the school community.
While many ring in the New Year close to home, Alejandro Escudero decided to start 2026 with a bold sense of independence. Taking the wheel for a solo road trip to Orlando, Alejandro headed straight for the magic of Universal Studios to celebrate the holiday with a close family friend.
The trip was more than just a vacation; it served as a symbol of the growth and autonomy Alejandro is striving for in the coming year.
The Midnight Magic
The highlight of the trip—and Alejandro’s favorite memory—was the electric atmosphere of the “New Year’s Eve countdown”. Standing among the crowd as the final seconds of the year ticked away, the energy of the park reached its peak. For Alejandro, participating in that collective roar at the stroke of midnight was a powerful way to transition into a fresh season of life.
A Resolution for Growth
Alejandro isn’t just letting the new year happen to him; he has a clear roadmap for self-improvement. Driven by a desire to evolve, his resolutions for the year include:
Continuous Learning: Committing to learning one brand-new skill every single month.
Skill Refinement: Dedicating time to sharpening his current life skills to become more proficient and self-reliant.
Whether it’s mastering a new hobby or improving practical everyday abilities, Alejandro is entering the year with a “student of life” mindset. His solo drive to Orlando was just the first milestone in what promises to be a year defined by exploration and personal excellence.
“This New Years was like any other except for the fact that I was independent for the first time ever. It made me wonder if that’s what adulthood is like,” he said.
Mr. Carey’s North Carolina Christmas by Ernesto Losada
Mr. Carey is a substitute teacher at ILS who said that he went to North Carolina.
“I hiked, went skiing, and biked,” he said.
During Christmas, his favorite movie to watch is Director Ron Howard’s How The Grinch Stole Christmas starring Jim Carrey. Throughout all of these festivities, he likes to enjoy his preferred Christmas nourishment, hot chocolate.
Finally, Mr. Carey spoke of his favorite Christmas memory.
“When I was around 10-years-old, I woke up on Christmas Day. I heard sounds in my house – for this story to make sense I have to explain thelayout of my house. There is a door with glass panels, and the last glass panel is close to the ground, but not all the way to where it’s touching the ground. I heard these sounds, and i decided to be brave on Christmas Day. When I opened the door, there was a small puppy. This puppy was so small that he was below being visible in the last glass panel of the door. His name was Polo, and he was my dog for 18 years.”
