Carl Jones

Farmington Central High School  |  Class of 2026
Gill Elementary > Power Middle School > Farmington Central High School

Looking back at my experience in Farmington Public Schools, I am reminded of how much I have grown and where I see myself going from here. My name is Carl Jones, and through all that has happened here, I have developed into a stronger person. I have gained a better understanding of myself and what I plan to do with my life as a result of some of my experiences here at school.

After graduation, I plan to attend UTI trade school to study automotive technology and pursue a career working on cars. This path means a lot to me because I’ve always enjoyed being around cars and understanding how they work. Over time, that interest turned into something more serious, and school helped me realize that this is something I can truly build a future around. I’ve learned that success doesn’t always look the same for everyone, and for me, choosing a hands-on career is the right decision.

One class that had a major impact on me was Automotive with Mr. Lazzarino. From the beginning, I was interested in the class because it gave me the chance to actually work on vehicles instead of just learning from online. Being able to notice the problems, understand different parts of a car, and see how everything connects made learning more exciting. Mr. Lazzarino played a big role in building my confidence. He believed in my abilities and helped me trust my skills more. Because of that class, I feel more prepared and motivated to continue learning in the automotive field.

Outside of the classroom, I was involved in student government and the principal advisory board. They helped me grow in important ways. I learned how to communicate better, listen to others, and be part of a team working toward a common goal. Being included in decisions and discussions about the school environment made me feel like my voice mattered, which is something I’ll carry with me moving forward.

One of my favorite memories with friends was field day during 8th grade at Power Middle School. It was a fun water fight day for our 8th graders and where we were outside enjoying the weather, splashing water on each other, laughing, and just having a good time. We also got to enjoy food and take a break from the usual school routine. It’s a memory that stands out because it brought everyone together and showed how fun school could be when you’re surrounded by good people and friends.

Farmington Public Schools, especially Farmington Central, was a place where I discovered my passions, built strong friendships, and gained confidence in myself. Every experience, whether big or small, helped me grow into the person I am today. As I move forward, I carry these lessons with me and feel ready to take on new challenges. I leave with pride, knowing I’ve built a strong foundation for my future in the world.

Leah Siskosky

North Farmington High School  |  Class of 2026
Forest Elementary > Warner Middle School > North Farmington High School

My experience in Farmington Public Schools has been defined less by perfect grades and more by the people, opportunities, and memories I’ve collected along the way. From Forest Elementary to Warner Middle School to North Farmington High School, each stage of my education has shaped me in a different way. While many define success through grades and course rigor, my academic record was not perfect, and it was actually the opportunities to get involved and the encouragement from my teachers that shaped who I became.

At Forest Elementary, I joined the 5th-grade band and LOC, which were some of my first steps into getting involved, even if I didn’t fully realize it then. At Warner Middle School, I took that energy and ran with it. I joined volleyball, track, and cross country while still playing club soccer, which made life feel constantly busy in the best way. Then COVID hit, and it felt like it wiped out most of my 6th and 7th-grade experience. But coming back to Warner, I expected things to feel different, and instead, it was like I had never left. The environment was so welcoming, and moments like the Washington, D.C. trip became the kind of memories that still feel “iconic” when I look back.

North Farmington is where everything really clicked. There were so many opportunities to get involved that it was almost overwhelming, and somehow I found myself in DECA, varsity soccer, student council, and morning announcements. What’s funny is that I had no real interest in most of those at first. What changed was seeing people around me, especially peers like Jaiden Thomas, step up and lead without waiting for a title or seniority. I realized that age or hierarchy doesn’t limit your ability to make an impact. So even as a freshman, I started going after opportunities, even if I was the youngest or the only one from my friend group doing it.

That growth didn’t come without challenges. Sophomore year was difficult, and when my GPA dropped, it felt like it defined my worth. But the teachers and my counselor who supported me during that time made a lasting impact. They pushed me to see beyond numbers and reminded me of my potential when I couldn’t see it myself. That encouragement helped me rebuild my confidence and keep moving forward.

Now, as I prepare to attend the University of Michigan to study political science, I can see how each part of my journey contributed to who I am. Forest gave me my foundation, Warner taught me adaptability, and North showed me how to balance a full life while still being driven about my future. More than anything, Farmington Public Schools taught me that growth isn’t always reflected in grades. Sometimes, it’s found in the risks you take, the people who support you, and the stories you leave with.

Xavier (Zak) Burns-Pavlik

Farmington High School  |  Class of 2026
Gill Elementary > Power Middle School > Farmington High School

I have lived in Farmington all of my life, and the schools I went to were always extensions of my home. As the youngest of three, my siblings’ reputations preceded me through elementary and most of middle school. I very quickly got used to teachers calling me by my brother’s name on accident - I took it as a point of pride, because I knew that I had an already-strong community surrounding me, and I’ve felt the strength of that community through the past thirteen years in the district.

One of the best things that Farmington Public Schools has done for me is the exposure I had to the arts through all levels of school. I started playing the viola in fifth grade at Gill with Mrs. Vargo and never stopped - I have been the first chair violist for all four years of high school, with the past two being in the highest orchestra. Getting to start so early with an instrument cultivated a love of music and playing in me. That love was not dampened by the pandemic, when being so far apart made making music especially difficult - instead it strengthened it when I was able to come back to school and rejoin the orchestra in eighth grade. 

In the same vein, Gill is where I started my theater journey, participating in the musicals put on by Mrs. Walsh and our principal, Mrs. Suliman, and doing the one play that I was able to do in sixth grade at Power before COVID shut everything down. Being able to come to high school and jump right back into theater after nearly three years away from it made it feel like I never left the stage, and being part of the Farmington High School Theater department has been the best experience I’ve had in high school. I know that who I am is in part shaped by the time I’ve spent on the stage, for both theater and orchestra, and I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to be a part of both because of Farmington’s investment in the arts.

I’ve been constantly inspired during my time in high school by my history teachers, Mr. Gold and Mr. Robinson. Both are prime examples of life-long learners - not only are they dedicated to teaching, but also to learning from the students that they teach. Both of them have such a deep passion for what they teach, and they, perhaps more than any other teacher I’ve had, have each shown what it means to care about their students. Next year, I am going to Michigan State University to study psychology and creative writing, and though I’m not studying history, I know that I will be using so much of what they taught me - academically, but also as a person - as I move forward in the next steps of my life.