This was previously published in the 2026 senior issue.
Paige Shickel has balanced a myriad of activites such as Social Media Editor of The Stinger, founder of Fashion Club, Editor of Key Club, member of the National Honor Society, member of World Language Honor Society, girls varsity lacrosse team member, and representative for the girls lacrosse team. To add to the load, an unexpected diagnosis led her to look at life with a new perspective.
Stinger: What are your plans after high school?
Shickel: I plan to go to Villanova University to major in business.
Stinger: How did your extracurriculars affect your high school experience?
Shickel: I really think it helped me get more involved and learn more about the school and the student body. I’m very grateful that I got into that super early…I got to meet so many people and experience so many things.
Stinger: What impact do you think you left on Emmaus?
Shickel: I hope I left Emmaus with the idea that you can always find humor during times of hardship, and no matter what setback you face, it matters what you can control rather than what you can’t. So just focus on doing what you can.
Stinger: What advice would you give underclassmen?
Shickel: Build relationships with teachers and connect with other students. I definitely used to be super shy coming into high school, and when I realized that teachers are here for a reason, to ask questions and they want to help you succeed, it really helped me in the long run.
Stinger: Is there anything else you would like to add?
Shickel: I was out for a month this year, which was very unexpected, because I ended up getting diagnosed with a cavernous malformation in my brain, so I ended up having surgery in March…I think that definitely changed my perspective on high school and life in general. It definitely taught me to take every opportunity I could, and going forward, to just be present.
Stinger: Is there anything you did that you likely wouldn’t have before the diagnosis?
Shickel: Honestly, I don’t regret anything…I feel like even during times of struggle, when you feel like your life is ending, it won’t. You really just have to push through
