Isabelle is a studious girl, a lover of books. One of her favorites is The Alchemist, a novel about a young shepherd who sets out to find a treasure, his destiny, that he knows about through a dream. He sells his sheep to fund a journey to find the treasure, encountering several obstacles and detours along the way. He reaches the pyramids, where he had been told to dig for his treasure, only to discover that it is not there. Alas, he has more traveling to do. And eventually he ends up right back in his homeland, where his treasure indeed awaits him.

The book is about an odyssey, listening to your heart, and finding happiness in pursuing your destiny. In doing so, one recognizes omens and listens for the directions in which they point. Destiny is not reached without a journey and the journey is often long and arduous. Sometimes you set out on one route, but have to alter it. Along the way, trials force you to hone new skills; the people you meet along the way change you. Innumerable experiences teach you about yourself little by little.

The journey to high school graduation parallels that of the shepherd boy. At times you feel you must be so close, but then realize that the final destination is still so far away. And sometimes the people you meet support you in your travels, while others get in the way. Along the road, you discover new abilities, and new interests. And you practice the perseverance it takes to get you to that walk across the stage. Then you finally hold your diploma in your hand. But as the applause fades, you take a deep breath and contemplate the next step. You realize that there’s more work to do, more to accomplish, more people to meet, more to learn. You have reached the intended destination, the graduation pyramids, but your destiny still awaits.

It’s no surprise that The Alchemist is one of Isabelle’s favorite books. Like the shepherd, Isabelle is thoughtful and full of hope and promise. She listens to the people and the world around her as she strives to understand where she is going in it. Isabelle loves to read and she is a deep thinker. Her interests and talents are broad: She cares deeply about the environment and also enjoys singing and performing. She is articulate in what she cares about and confident in her decisions. She draws upon these many gifts as she continues her journey to fulfilling her destiny.

Most of all, like the shepherd and the book itself, Isabelle inspires. Her friendliness, positive attitude, and willingness to navigate obstacles will undoubtedly propel her along the road to her destiny. May she always listen to her heart and mind the signs that guide her in the right direction.