Phlegar chooses JMU, but choosing a major may take another four years - by Chloe Hunt
“I was not named after a princess, aurora borealis or Aurora, Colorado. My favorite Disney princess is Belle, not Aurora.
Like most students going through a tough senior spring, Aurora Phlegar’s spring trimester has been completely transformed, but she has fond memories of her time at North Cross.
“My high school career started with the election of Trump and ended with a pandemic,” Phlegar said, “so it has been an interesting four years all around.”
Freshman year, Phlegar attended the Columbia Scholastic Press Conference.
“Some of my favorite memories of high school have been the NYC and Columbia journalism convention trip my freshman year,” Phlegar said. “It was my first time to NYC and I remember
being in shock by the tall buildings and huge electric billboards I had only seen in movies.”
One part of the trip she remembers is the NYC Olive Garden.
“I was very impressed by the three-story Olive Garden,” Phlegar said. “Honestly, going to Olive Garden was the highlight of the trip.”
Phlegar also swam while in high school. For her senior season, she swam the 50 yard free at 28.89, placing 65th in the state.
“I also have many favorite memories from the swim team,” Phlegar said, “like, jamming out to 2000s classics in the locker room, winning states, going to Cookout and cheering loudly.”
Phlegar, like the other seniors, is upset at her lack of a spring trimester.
“The end of my senior year has been affected dramatically,” Phlegar said. “I never thought I would say this, but I am missing seeing people at school. I hope that we can still have our senior prom and the graduation ceremony.”
Over a Zoom call, seniors were told that graduation -- in person -- would happen as soon as 500 people can safely be held in the Carter Athletic Center. Phlegar’s perspective on Covid-19 was rather selfless though.
“This crisis is upending many people’s lives and I hope that everyone recovers quickly,” Phlegar said. “I hope healthcare workers can stay safe and get the equipment and protection they need.”
This opportunity has also allowed her to connect with her family.
“I have also been forced to talk to my brother for the first time in a while,” Phlegar said. “Although, what is going on in the world is a tragedy and I have to talk to my brother, I am enjoying being at home. I get to wear pajamas and watch TV every day.”
There is a lot about Phlegar that students may not know.
“Some things other students may not know about me is I ride horses every weekend,” Phlegar said. “I want to move to Italy, not right now though, I sing too much in the shower, I met Josh Groban in NYC, and I like to paint.”
Contrary to popular belief, she was not named after a princess.
“I was not named after a princess, aurora borealis or Aurora, Colorado. My favorite Disney princess is Belle, not Aurora.”
Aurora Phlegar will attend James Madison University in the fall.
At JMU, Phlegar is not yet sure what she wants to pursue.
“I am leaning towards a major in English, media arts and designs, writing, rhetoric, and communications, or international business,” Phlegar said. “Who knows though? I change my mind on my major a few times a day.”