Avery Hanan:

Out of the 2,500 students here at Carlsbad High School, senior Avery Hanan has been chosen to be a part of this elite group to represent this school at its finest. This summer, Hanan was awarded the honor of being a Royal Lancer. Along with her spot on varsity volleyball, Royal Lancers has made her a stand out student, giving her the opportunity to attend Cornell University next fall.

“I have always wanted to go to a prestigious college known for academics,” Hanan said. “So I needed to make myself competitive with others in terms of grades and classes.”

Being a Royal Lancer requires extra commitment to school and a high level of academic diversity. For many students, school is a priority, but for Royal Lancers, they must go above and beyond in their dedication to their grades and education. For Hanan however, she believes that being a Royal Lancer goes farther than just academics.

“To me, being a Royal Lancer is a privilege and something that not many people get to experience,” Hanan said. “This pushes me to try my best to succeed and represent Carlsbad High School in the best way possible.”

Along with the commitment of withholding her grades, Hanan faces the pressure to be a positive influence to those around her. Hanan along with the 23 other Royal Lancers, including her brother, have a reputation to live up to on campus. Along with being very educated, they also have the expectation of being a positive influence on the younger students on campus.

“Everyone looks up to you as a kind of leader on campus, and recognizes all the hard work you have put in,” Hanan said. “So you need to be able to back that up.”

From being a leader on campus, Hanan has had many experiences that have helped shape her as a student and ready her for her path ahead. Hanan tells Lancer Link some of her tips and tricks that have gotten her to where she is now and might benefit students who look up to her on campus.

“Time management is a huge part of being successful because you need to be able to get everything done efficiently,” Hanan said. “You need to be willing to work hard on everything, even if it might not be the most fun or exciting thing to do.”

Connor Hanan:

The other half of the high-performing duo is senior Connor Hanan. Hanan, along with his sister, has been selected to be a part of the honorary Royal Lancers. Hanan has put forth a great amount of time and hard work to be where he is now.

Up until recently, Hanan had never seen himself being a Royal Lancer due to the fact that he was unaware of the program, but this did not dull his excitement to achieve this award.

“I didn’t know what exactly Royal Lancers were until I got a letter this summer,” Hanan said. “It was pretty exciting.”

Through all of his hard work, Hanan was happy to be recognized and represent CHS. Hanan did not just get there through his smarts, but he also used many elements to motivate him to get where he is now.

“The prospect of doing well definitely motivated me and representing my school in a positive way,” Hanan said.

Having a sister who has also been awarded the title of Royal Lancer, they have grown to motivate each other to be the best they can be. Both Avery and Connor have challenged themselves throughout the past 4 years to be where they are today. Along with each other’s motivation, Hanan has also used other tips to get him along his four years of high school so far.

“You must be studious, and apply yourself to everything that you get the opportunity to,” Hanan said.

Representing CHS as a Royal Lancer means students are looking to you for goals and advice. Along with holding this role model position on campus, also comes pressure and stress.  However, Hanan believes he has gained the right mindset to avoid being under the weight of work and the pressure.

“I haven’t really felt much pressure,” Hanan said. “By this time we have already formed the habits we need to succeed.”