The alarm sounded and junior Sky Bottenfield hits the snooze button, looking at it with bleary eyes.  4:30 a.m. is way too early to get up on a school morning, she says to herself. She rolls out of bed anyway, beginning another day.

Bottenfield attends an early morning scripture study called seminary  and participates in drum line practice after school. She loves drum line, but attending practice is mandatory for members. Going to seminary requires a choice.

“If I don’t go, my day is horrible,” Bottenfield said. “It gives me a cheerful reminder of how I should keep my standards,”

She gets home from school after 6 p.m. every night from drum line practice, Bottenfield struggles to finish all of her homework as well as practice her drum and have some time to herself.

“I’m a really bad procrastinator, but I find time for everything somehow,” Bottenfield said.

Despite her busy schedule, Bottenfield finds time for friends, family, and fun—whether she means to or not. Going to school, seminary and being on drum line opens up a lot of opportunities to make mistakes.

“Once during practice I tripped over my own feet, flipped over my drum, and landed facedown on the concrete, getting a bloody nose. I just couldn’t stop laughing, but everyone was worried so I went to the back of the school to go inside and wash up. The cheerleaders happened to be practicing in the hallway, freaking out about the blood after they let me in. I assured everyone I was fine and we resumed our practice,” Bottenfield said.

Always concerned about others, Bottenfield tries to set a good example to follow. She always tries to have a positive attitude and encourages others to do well, and in return her friends help her in life.

“Tons of my friends help me stay in the ‘right mind set.’ They help me make important decisions and calm me down when I’m upset,” Bottenfield said.

Bottenfield tries her best to be prepared and have all of her work done.

“I always try to be the first one out and ready for band practice. And whenever I miss a day of seminary I do the lesson at home as well as personal scripture study at home to make up for it,” Bottenfield said.

Many find getting up so early crazy when she could sleep in and have more energy for drum line, school and homework.

“Seminary puts me in a happy mood, no matter what time of morning we have it. I would have less energy everyday if I didn’t go,” Bottenfield said.