Pacetti looks forward to nursing career
Editor’s Note: Franklin’s Future is a regular feature spotlighting a high school senior in Franklin County and what they have planned for life after graduation.
Red Bay senior Lauren Pacetti, 18, has made it a point to make the most out of her four years of high school by being involved in many different clubs, activities and community projects.
For the past two years, Pacetti has been a student volunteer at the Mending Hearts Youth Farm, which is a facility in Golden, Miss., that utilizes horses as a way to reach out to children in difficult situations.
“I love being around horses and I go to church with the lady who is over the program, so that’s how I got involved,” she said. “I lead the kids around on the horses and I absolutely love it because you can see how excited it makes the kids to get to come. It’s a great thing to be a part of.”
At school, Pacetti has served as president of Students Against Destructive Decisions, president of Health Occupation Students of America, the senior class vice-president on the Student Council, vice-president of Spanish Club, and a member of Future Farmers of America, Beta Club, FCCLA, Future Business Leaders of America, English Club, Science Club, Mathaletes, Leo Club, Junior Leadership and Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
And if that isn’t enough, Pacetti helps spread school spirit as the captain of the cheerleading squad and as a member of both the softball and track teams.
She has also made a name for herself as part of the Lady Tigers basketball team, who had an outstanding season and ended up as the 2A Northwest Regional champions and the runners-up in the state championship game.
“I just think you should enjoy your time in high school because it goes by so fast, and I wanted to take advantage of all the opportunities I could,” she said.
“Getting involved with different activities gives me extra things to do and it’s a good opportunity to spend time with my friends. At Red Bay, everyone knows everyone so you can hang out at school events and still have fun.”
Pacetti said she will take away many fond memories from her time at RBHS, most of which are memories associated with sporting events.
“I loved going out to eat after games with friends and cheering for the crowd at Friday night football games,” she said. “I will miss all those things and seeing all my friends on a daily basis when I graduate.”
Pacetti has lived in Red Bay her whole life and she said it will definitely be an adjustment to leave her small town.
“It is just more relaxed here,” she said. “I’m familiar with everything we do at Red Bay and I know it will be so much different and stressful in college.”
Pacetti plans to attend the University of North Alabama and will be moving to Florence with her best friend in the fall.
“UNA just seemed like the best choice because it’s the perfect distance from home,” she said. “It’s far enough away that I needed to move over there, but it’s close enough so I can come home whenever I need to.”
While at UNA, Pacetti plans to enroll in the nursing program so she can one day become a nurse anesthetist.
“I am taking a health class now and through that we have learned about different careers in the health field,” she said. “I knew I wanted to do something in the health field so I could help people and this seems like the best choice for me.”
After graduating from college, Pacetti said she hopes to come back to the area to settle down close to home.
“I’ve loved growing up in Red Bay and I think it’s a good place to live and raise a family,” she said. “There’s a sense of community here and that’s something I’ve always loved.”
Pacetti is the daughter of Amanda and Derek Cleveland and Vinnie Pacetti, and she has two siblings, Codey and MaKayli Cleveland.
