Cool Kids: New Vision High gives grad new outlook

Sometimes, the toughest thing for a child to admit is that mom or dad really does know best.

But Sarah Booth recently did just that. She said that although she initially fought the idea of going to New Vision High School in Post Falls, her mother’s decision to enroll her there turned out to be the right one.

“I am glad my mom made me come here,” Booth said.

Booth, who graduated in June, said the school was a good fit for her, and she especially enjoyed the small classes and the rapport she had with the teachers and principal.

“It’s like a family here,” said the 19-year-old.

Graduating with six classmates, Booth said her time at New Vision taught her many important life lessons.

“I worked harder here than I did at my old high school,” said Booth. “Here, they make you own up to what you do, and while you can work at your own pace, they do not let you slack.”

One of Booth’s favorite courses was a cinema theme class in which students watched a movie, took notes and followed up with a project about the movie.

“We watched movies like ‘Remember the Titans’ and ‘Awakenings,’ ” said Booth, who added that she enjoyed making posters and writing summaries about the movies she had watched.

When not attending school, Booth enjoys being outside and especially likes to go camping with friends.

“I like anything outdoors,” she said.

Having recently left a job at a shoe store, Booth now works at Tri-State Outfitters and plans to attend North Idaho College in the fall.

“I want to get my generals (general studies) out of the way,” she said.

Booth moved to Idaho when she was in the fourth grade. Since then, she has traveled to and from Utah to visit her father, who still lives there.

It was on those visits that she found inspiration for what she wants to do with her life.

“I met a lot of cool flight attendants over the years flying to and from Utah,” said Booth. “I really want to travel, and I figure it (being a flight attendant) is a good way to see the world.”

Booth said that when she started working and going to school, she found it difficult to balance it all, but as time went by, it got easier.

One lesson she learned early on, she said, is not to procrastinate. Once she had discovered that, she said, life got a lot easier.

Booth also credits her teachers with helping to keep her motivated and helping her succeed.

“My grades improved a lot and I had a lot more one-on-one time with teachers when I came” to New Vision, she said.

Booth said her teachers made the difference for her. They made it interesting to learn and, she said, they truly care and want each student to be successful.

As she goes on to the next phase of her life, Booth said, she looks forward to being able to work in a place where she can meet people.

“I really enjoy working with people because it is always different,” she said.

One of the most important lessons Booth learned during her years in school is that, yes, Mom can sometimes be right.

“I know I’ll thank her in the long run,” Booth said.