Class of 2015’s Megan Rigabar has some valuable advice for current Lancers. “When you’re feeling overwhelmed, try taking the long view. So many things that create stress and anxiety right now aren’t permanent,” she said.

While attending Lafayette High School she was involved in her Class Advisory, the Image staff, Ladies Bible Study 11-12 and National Honor Society, After graduating, she attended the University of South Carolina where she earned degrees in Global Studies and Spanish and a minor in Islamic World Studies.

She also studied abroad in Peru and Morocco and was active in  campus organizations dedicated to elevating women’s rights and ending human trafficking in her community.

Currently, she is program assistant for the Human Trafficking Programs at the South Carolina Office of the Attorney General. where she creates and implements statewide initiatives to combat human trafficking, She also serves on the board of Directors of Collective Liberty, a national-level anti-trafficking nonprofit utilizing technology to reduce victimization and bring justice. 

She said high school and college are important stepping stones. But perhaps the most important part about both experiences isn’t the final grade — it’s the relationships you build and the opportunities for learning that you take advantage of outside the classroom.”

“It’s okay if you still don’t know what you want to do when you grow up. One of the biggest secrets you’ll find out as you get older is that hardly anyone actually knows exactly what they want to do for the rest of their life—we’re all just trying to figure it out one step at a time. I found that the time I spent working and volunteering in my community greatly enriched my education. I would encourage Lancers to immerse themselves in an extracurricular activity they are passionate about and maintain their involvement throughout high school,” Rigabar said.