Andrea Filisko is a senior at Wheaton North High School. She is a member of the French Honors Society and loves being active in Treble Choir. When she isn’t working her part-time job at Old Navy, Filisko volunteers at Naper Settlement. She is deciding between Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois, and Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, Michigan.

Wheaton Patch: Why did you choose Hillsdale College?

Andrea Filisko: Hillsdale is my first choice because I stepped onto the campus and was immediately in love. People say that when you find your perfect college you will just know, and I always thought that that was just something people say. Then, I visited Hilldsdale. I love Augustana because it is a gorgeous campus and it is close to home. They both have everything I want academically though. It is a very tough decision.

Patch: What is your favorite memory from this year so far?

Filisko: Performing the "Hallelujah Chorus" with Treble Choir. It was a little bittersweet as it was my last time.

Patch: What’s your favorite memory from all of high school?

Filisko: One Act Plays freshman year. I was a part of the One Act “Save the Whales: the Saga of the Boy Band Oreo.” It was one of the most fun experiences I have ever had.

Patch: What is the best thing about being a senior?

Filisko: The best part about senior year is being able to give advice to the younger students and help them realize that their drama is not the end of the world. The other really awesome thing is that as a senior you can take fun classes like Poetry and Women Writers.

Patch: What will you miss about high school?

Filisko: My Treble Choir ladies. We are all a family and it will be bittersweet to move on.

Patch: What won’t you miss about high school?

Filisko: Getting up ridiculously early and having to deal with all the drama that comes with teenage girls...

Patch: What are your summer plans?

Filisko: Hanging around Wheaton, getting ready for college, and maybe going to Disney.

Patch: What is your favorite activity/club/sport that you participate in?

Filisko: Treble Choir is my favorite because it combines my love of music with my love of performing. It is also the only place during the day where I feel like I have no stress. The surprising part is [there are] 54 teenage girls and [there is] relatively low drama.

Patch: What is your advice for the next senior class?

Filisko: Live in the moment. Senior year passes really fast!

Patch: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Filisko: Working, maybe married, probably already a world traveler.

Patch: What will you miss most about Wheaton?

Filisko: The feeling of home.

Patch: “When I visit home, the first thing I’ll do is...”

Filisko: Give all my family huge hugs... that includes my dogs, and most of all, my cat, and finally spend some time with friends

Patch: What song will always remind you of your senior year?

Filisko: “The River” by Garth Brooks

Patch: What is your favorite Wheaton hang-out?

Filisko: Starbucks

Patch: Favorite lunch item?

Filisko: Yogurt

Patch: What is your favorite class that you’ve taken so far?

Filisko: A tie between Geometry and Women Writers. Geometry because of Mr. Samide and Women Writers because of Mrs. Reinert and the classics we read in class.

Patch: How do you plan on keeping in touch with your high school friends?

Filisko: Facebook and maybe texting.

Patch: What is your goal for the end of the year? What do you hope to accomplish before graduation?

Filisko: I hope to maintain my focus in spite of the inevitable senioritis.