Allison Cook poses for a photo with her son and fiance next to a bouquet of roses.

What year did you graduate from Burlington High School?

2020

Tell us about your accomplishments since graduating from BHS.

Since graduating from BHS, I started college and had my amazing son. He truly makes my life better than it ever was before. I had to stop school for a while to be a stay-at-home-mom, but I am planning on going back soon to become a consultant for new mothers that are wanting to nurse their babies. I’m also expecting my second next year, and I’m getting married soon.

During your time at BHS, did you have a favorite staff member who had a positive impact on you? Tell us about them. 

Mrs. Lloyd was my favorite teacher ever! Throughout all of my schooling so far, she made the biggest impact on me. She always encouraged me to make more art, which really helped me through a tough time in my life. Even when my art wasn’t that “good,” she would still tell me to make more. Art helped me so much for years, and I’ll always appreciate Mrs. Lloyd for that.

Do you have any advice for recent and future graduates?

Do what YOU want to do in life, not what others want for you! You deserve to live a life you’re happy in.

How did your time at BHS impact your adult life?

I spent years at BHS taking art courses, whether that be Ceramics, 2D Art, or Acrylic Painting. Before high school, I was never much of an artist; my older sister was, I was always the “nerd,” the person who excelled at science and didn’t express my creativity. The art teachers at BHS helped me so much in finding myself, and being able to express my feelings and experiences through artwork. Painting became my favorite thing in the world. After taking Acrylic Painting, I started spending hours every day making art in my room. I was going through a lot at the time, and art was an amazing distraction/medicine. It still is for me to this day, and I attribute that to the art teachers at BHS.