From the first day of freshman year to the last day of senior year, no one is ever any less of a Sequoit from one day to another. Being a Sequoit means something so much more than just attending any old high school. ACHS has a tremendous amount of school spirit, diversity and involvement. The way that the students and staff come to together and make amazing things happen and have fun during the process is something special, it’s a bond to be proud of.  There is no one way to define being a Sequoit. There are many different ways to be a great Sequoit and Jackie Anderson is great example.

Jackie Anderson (now DeCaro) attended ACHS as a student from 1993-1997. Aside from her regular schooling, she was involved in pep band, marching band and concert band. She was also a part of the symphonic band for her first 3 years. Anderson was on the golf team for 2 years and she was in wind ensemble her senior year. “Band was my outlet because it was the only laid back class I ever took; it was my way to chill and be part of a group that made something. Golf was very stressful because I wasn’t used to playing a sport and I didn’t do it until junior year. It was a challenge but it was nice to be outside after school, which I did not get to do as often,” said Anderson. Unlike golf, Anderson continued band all through college.

Ever since the beginning, there have been cliques in high school. Even if it happens by accident, people who have the same interests tend to come together. There are the jocks, band geeks, and preps just to name a few. Anderson fell into a group of AP kids. “My friends were honors, nerds students I guess. My friends were all very laid back so that made high school very calm with not a lot of drama,” said Anderson.

Anderson has been involved with the school for 17 years. In those 17 years, Anderson got married and now goes by Mrs. Jackie DeCaro. Antioch is the only school DeCaro has taught at and she was never sure whether or not she would end up back at ACHS. “I didn’t know where I was going to end up in college, but then I got the student teaching position at Antioch with Mrs. Peterson and Mr. Michael and after that, I got the job here and I just never looked anywhere else,” said Anderson. Anderson planned on sticking around, because Antioch was welcoming and great place to spend the time. “At the time, I stayed here because of the people and the students were nice and I was really comfortable here,” said Anderson.

Jackie (Anderson) DeCaro is a great example of what a Sequoit is because her high school experience was full of challenge and she was not afraid to go out and try new things. ACHS is a great place to take the first steps into adulthood because it’s comfortable and everyone is free to be themselves, “‘Once a Sequoit, Always a Sequoit’ is true because I live in Wauconda now and I’ve had students who say, ‘Oh you live in Wauconda so you’re going to be a Bulldog now?’ and I say, ‘No because I’ll wear my Sequoit headband and gloves downtown,'” said Anderson. Being a Sequoit is about taking life as it comes to you, getting the full experience and learning how to survive in the world one day at a time.