Pekin senior Ayla Banes

Ayla Banes is a graduate in the spotlight this week. She is the daughter of Halisha and Matthew Hackert; Darin Banes and Adrianna Fairchild. Her siblings are Adalyn Hackert, Arya Hackert, Aubrey Banes, Gavin Banes, and Devin Fry.

While in high school Ayla was involved in Football Cheer, Basketball Cheer, Wrestling Cheer, Dance Team, Wrestling, Individual and Large Group Speech, Theatre, Band, and FBLA. She has also worked at Hedrick BP, Adventureland, Pigtail Charlie's, Subway, and Sigourney Casey's.

What's your favorite school memory/OR what will you remember the most? Riverside and TJ Maxx dates with Emma Berg.

If you could go back and change one thing, what would it be? I wish I had done football cheer my freshman year.

Finish this sentence, “I could not live without…” My cats.

What's the best and/or worst thing about being a senior? I don’t get to see Christy every day.

Which teacher or staff member had the biggest impact on you and why? Mrs. Jacobs.

What’s your advice to incoming high school freshmen? WALK on the right side of the hallway.

What is one outrageous thing you want to try in your lifetime? Street racing.

If you could move anywhere in the world, where would you go and why? Austin, Texas.

Who has been your biggest influence and why? @themaskedmusicalpony because he reminds me that you don't have to take life so seriously.