Brianna Tyczka is a ninth grader at Alden High School who is excited to dive into all the opportunities high school has to offer. “What I’m most excited for is probably just being able to join all the new clubs and meet a bunch of new friends,” she says. This year, she decided to join the school play because she enjoys taking on creative roles outside the classroom.

Musicals have always been a big part of Brianna’s life. Her favorite is Hamilton, which she’s loved since she was little. She also enjoyed performing in The Wizard of Oz, where she played a poppy — her first ever musical. When it comes to reading, she’s a fan of The Third Gilmore Girl by Kelly Bishop, a memoir she loves as a longtime Gilmore Girls fan.

At home, Brianna keeps busy with her eight pets: three cats, a mini schnauzer, a hamster, and a leopard gecko, while her sisters care for a tarantula and a fish. Looking ahead, Brianna says her goals for the year are simple: “Try my best, join and experience new clubs, and try to make more friends.”