Allison Wilcox: Having older siblings helped guide the transition throughout and after high school

Thanks to the experience of my three older sisters, middle-school me knew Performance was the best elective to take and that Advanced English was crucial to be considered cool. As the years rolled by and it was time to apply for college, I had tagged along on enough campus visits with my sisters that I wasn’t quite as lost as my friends when approaching this huge decision.

Watching my older sisters grow up has helped pave my way throughout life. While my oldest sister did “trial and error” when it came to stepping out of her comfort zone through joining Hauberk or attending a mission trip, I’ve learned the rights and wrongs of every stage of life before it even came to me.

We’ve also all left our legacy on the East tennis courts — all my sisters won State and tennis played a major role in their lives. Seeing their success in the sport motivated me to work just as hard, even claiming another state championship on the high school team. While only one of my sisters played at the collegiate level, her appreciation for the traits she acquired like determination and perseverance inspired me to do the same.

My sisters would claim that I “copy” and “follow” them, and while that’s somewhat true, I’ve still branched out — I’ve been the first Wilcox to participate in activities like DECA and Junior Board. And while two of my sisters worked at Kansas City Country Club teaching tennis, I opted to babysit and work at Energizing Mission.

Even when it comes to choosing my career, my sisters’ mistakes and college major changes have helped me determine what I want to study. Having heard about the intense schooling required to be a Physician’s Assistant and Pharmacist, I’m choosing a field different from all three of my sisters: Finance. 

As the youngest of four, I’ve gotten to see the different options that come with school and work and the directions they can take you, helping me maneuver my way through life. I don’t admit it enough, but I’m grateful everyday for my sisters who continue to guide me through life, leaving me a step ahead of everyone else.