As Student Body President Chandler Danielson stepped up to the starting line of the 2014 Hayley Hustle 5K, she looked around at the friends and classmates who had gathered early on a Saturday morning to raise money for students in the area with Muscular Dystrophy.

Danielson was filled with pride as she thought back to her freshman year when, as class president, she had thought of the idea for the 5k, an idea that only grew with the help and support of her class. Now with graduation only weeks away, she was about to run in the fourth annual Hayley Hustle, an event that perfectly represented the dedication and compassion of the Class of 2014.

The seniors will graduate on June 13, taking with them a legacy of competition, determination and love for their school. In fact, Student Body Vice President Matt Rice believes these attributes are what distinguish his class.

“We go above and beyond in the classroom. Everyone talks about how crazy competitive we are, but we’re also dedicated to each other. Whenever any of us has a problem, the class as a whole steps up and helps out, especially with the Hayley Hustle,” Rice said. “It has been very successful over these four years, and it all started out with us backing each other up in the beginning and just continuing with that support and compassion.”

The Class of 2014 has experienced great successes at West. From the large amount of scholarship money raised to the number of students committed to collegiate athletics to the diversity of post-graduation plans, this senior class has set a standard for going above and beyond, according to Spanish teacher Suzanne Perron. Despite all these accomplishments, Rice, like many, believes that the Hayley Hustle is the class’s greatest achievement.

“We had a person in need. It grew from just recognizing one person to helping our entire community and spreading from Henderson County to Transylvania and Buncombe counties, too,” Rice said. “So it’s not just our class we’re trying to help but the community as a whole.”

Beyond their accomplishments both academic and otherwise, the senior class has redefined West for the better, according to Perron. Perron said the Class of 2014 has shown promise from the beginning, and they have lived up to it.

“I’ve known the kids for such a long time — since they were all in middle school. It’s been really fun to watch them grow up and turn into responsible, productive adults,” Perron said. “They all have such great personalities, and they have such a willingness to make West such a great place.”

According to Rice, the senior class has been able to make a difference through being involved, and Perron agrees.

“As a freshmen and a sophomore, I didn’t really get involved with anything, and I was pretty quiet, but as you start to find your place, as I found my place, within school and everything, I’ve started to enjoy it more, and I’ve been able to just dive in. It’s made the experience so much better,” Rice said. “I think the best thing you can do is get involved.” Perron said this senior class has been special from the time they were in middle school, and their involvement has helped make the school a better place to learn.

“West is a really positive place, and people genuinely enjoy being here. When people are here, they have fun, and I think this group has shown everybody that you can be smart, you can be respectful and you can be popular all at the same time,” Perron said. “Ever since these kids were in middle school, people were saying they’re a special class, and they absolutely are.”

Gap years, AmeriCorps, full-ride scholarships and athletic signings are all post-graduation plans that set the Class of 2014 apart. However, Rice said his advice to underclassmen is to make sure they leave their own mark on West before graduation.

“Make the school yours. Make it personal. The school is so much better when it is run by students, and it’s more productive, too. Simply take over and make it yours,” Rice said. “Make sure the teachers still talk about you, and make sure the other classes remember what you’ve done. Leave a legacy.”

According to Perron, the Class of 2014 is one that will be remembered.

“They have proven that hard work pays off. They have proved that if you make school number one, you will achieve great things,” Perron said. “I think that their hard work, their perseverance, their friendliness and their positivity is what they’ll be remembered for.”

By Olivia Slagle