Margo Bates is a Pre-Interational Baccalaureate sophomore at Winter Springs High School. She joined the school newspaper to try something new and branch out.  This year Margo’s goal is to do well in her classes and strengthen her tennis skills.

 Outside of school, Margo writes for The Sanford Herald, sharing her voice on issues that matter most to her. Newspaper is not the only medium where Margo’s creativity shines. In fact, one of her passions is storytelling. For as long as she can remember, Margo has been enamored with writing and art. She first started writing novels in sixth grade. She delights in building worlds and bringing characters to life through writing. Bates often sketches her characters to figure out who they are and what drives them.

When she is not writing, taking quiet walks at night in her neighborhood soothes her mind. She also volunteers with the Florida Lakewatch, collecting lake samples that will be monitored and analyzed. After a long day of school, Margo unwinds by listening to music and drawing. Though she listens to everything, Hozier is her favorite artist at the moment.

At home, she lives with her parents, two cats, and a dog, who she adores. She loves spending time with her family. Whether that means going on hikes, boating, or just an adventure. Her biggest supporters in life are her family. Through thick and thin,  she knows she can count on them for guidance.

Looking into the future, Margo hopes to go to University of Florida or University Of South Florida for higher education. She plans on being an English major but is still quite unsure about the specifics. Despite her uncertainty, she is excited for what is in store for her this school year and for the many years to come.