By ELIZABETH MOLLOY

Many students participate in theater at Citrus Valley High School. However, some students are looking to take their experience a step further than just high school plays. 

Sophia Partain, a senior at Citrus Valley, is a perfect example of a student with that ambition. 

Partain has been a part of the Blackhawk Theater for four years and starred in the fall play Puffs as a lead female role. 

She is involved in choir and serves as the president of Thespians Club. She also participated in the French Club. 

In addition to theater, Partain is taking three Advanced Placement classes this year: AP French, AP Literature and AP Calculus. She is familiar with the academic rigor that AP classes possess, as she has taken them since freshman year. 

Her favorite part of being at Citrus Valley, in particular, is the rivalry between three high schools in the Redlands Unified School District: Redlands High School, Redlands East Valley High School and Citrus Valley. Since Partain attended Moore Middle School, she has many friends attending REV,  making the rivalries more exciting.

Partain says she’ll miss being a part of theater, her teachers and the friends she’s made at Citrus Valley. 

Sophia Partain, a senior at Citrus Valley High School smiles for a photo (BELLA ESPINOZA/Ethic News photo)

In her free time, Partain enjoys reading a lot as well as crafting. Another hobby of hers includes crocheting, an activity she picked up during quarantine. 

Partain says her biggest inspirations are her parents and brother. Partain’s father is a Citrus Valley English 12 teacher and her brother, Jack Partain, is a sophomore at Citrus Valley. 

Partain’s talent has not gone unnoticed. Many of her peers have recognized her talent and success. 

Amber Sibbett, a freshman at Citrus Valley, says, “Sophia is one of my favorite seniors! She works incredibly hard and has beautiful talent. She makes sure everyone feels welcome and you can always count on her to do her part.” 

Emma Ritter, a freshman at Citrus Valley, participated in the play Puff and worked closely with Partain. 

Ritter says, “She is an amazing actress and it’s so much fun watching her. She is also super nice and really fun to talk to.” 

With only seven more months until her high school career is over, Partain plans for her future. She hopes to major in Musical Theater and apply to many colleges, local or across the country.