Crazy last name, chill personality, big heart: these are the elements that make up Lauren Clinkenbeard.

“Make your heart happy,” she said. “This is really my philosophy because you should be your biggest priority and you should want to make yourself happy.”

Lauren hasn’t always been this way, though.  Through middle school and the beginning of her high school career, she was caught up in the life of a busy high school teenager.

“It’s easy to get caught up in the moment and fail to realize what you are doing may not make you happy.”

Since then, the junior has found a few specific things that make her happy, such as the color blue and “chill music like The Lumineers.”

Now, Lauren walks with her head held high and one philosophy: “Even if you think you need to do something, you need to make yourself happy first.”