As the Laotian music flows through the air, a group of dancers come to participate in their traditional festivities. A group of young girls come on as everyone cheers for them. They dance with such nimbleness and such elegance, the audience members quickly become taken by the performance. One dancer, however, stands out and moves gracefully throughout the performance. This dancer is the spotlight of this feature and that is Samantha Ratsakanh! So come sway with me as we see what Ratsakanh is all about…besides her dancing skills!

Ratsakanh was born on February 24th, 2007, in Des Moines, Iowa, to her loving parents Lumdeuan (aka Lou) Sousannaseng and Jay Ratsakanh. She is ethnically Laotian and is proud to share her culture whenever she can. 

Ratsakanh attended Holy Family Catholic School from Pre-K to 8th grade and grew a lot while there. Those years made her a hard-working student, and she also appreciated the diversity it brought. At first, Ratsakanh didn’t like the teachers, but over time, she learned to appreciate them because of the hard work they put in order for her to succeed. 

Ratsakanh is currently uncommitted on where she wants to go to college but knows she wants to major in communications. She wants to take communications because it can help her search for jobs that she wants to do. She feels STEM isn’t her cup of tea and thinks communication is the way for her to go.

Here at DCHS, Ratsakanh has had a challenging but rewarding experience. She likes to choose classes that fit her interests and has enjoyed befriending new people. Some teachers that have had an impact on Ratsakanh are Mr. Patten in room 702 and Ms. Meendering in room 200. Mr. Patten has had a huge impact on her because he listens but also offers good advice to her. He creates an engaging and welcoming environment for his students, which Ratsakanh has certainly felt. Another teacher who has impacted Ratsakanh is Ms. Meendering. Ratsakanh appreciates her understanding and outpouring care that she gives to her students. She loves how she is willing to answer any questions and pause to comfort her. 

An obstacle Ratsakanh has faced is suffering from mental breakdowns from school either academically or emotionally. “I would bottle up my emotions.” School is a huge stressor on her because of the expectations and demands that the classes have. Rather than letting it break her down, she chooses to overcome them! A way she does this is by taking a break from everything and not talking to anyone about it. She does that not because she is uncomfortable with sharing it with people but because she doesn’t want anyone to worry. Ratsakanh states that she does a lot of self reflection and gives herself affirmations. She likes to distract her mind until she feels she can move on. Ratsakanh still experiences these breakdowns but knows how to cope with them by being more open about it.

Ratsakanh offers her time to others through Meals of the Heartland and enjoys it because it is a community outreach program. She has learned to appreciate the small things, including food. Volunteering at Meals of the Heartland reminds her of her family back in Laos, and she remembers helping her mom pack old clothes they didn’t need to give to family back home to wear. 

Alright! The fun facts of Ratsakanh we all have been waiting for!

• She has been dancing traditionally for over 10 years
• She has six aunts and six uncles 
• Her mom is child #10
• She hates the sound of squeaking (shoes, Styrofoam)
• She loves matcha, chai, coffee, and thai iced tea
• She loved pop, R&B, hip hop, and K-pop
• She sleeps with five stuffed animals
• She loves neutral and pastel colors
• She is a night owl because it is more quiet and less chaotic at night
• The longest nap she has taken lasted for six hours

Now, you might be wondering why I chose to do Ratsakanh for a student spotlight feature. Well, while all of my previous features have had a sport or an activity associated with them, Ratsakanh is just a student who sees Dowling through unfiltered eyes. She knows what is going on and understands the world around her as it rapidly changes. I think it is good to recognize the everyday student who does their part, and Ratsakanh is a good example of that.

“Focus on yourself.”

That is the piece of advice she gives to you fellow students and readers. She reasons that you don’t need other people to determine your life. “Don’t change your beliefs because of someone else. You’ve got to be your authentic self.”  This truly resonates with me because it ties back to her being more comfortable as she battles her anxiety breakdowns and the affirmations she gives herself. It’s easy to get lost in the pulling claws of mental stress, but Ratsakanh has adapted well to combat it.

Now, where’s a proper “Student Spotlight” without the power of friendship! One of Ratsakanh’s best friends is Patience Jones whom she met in the summer of 2023 because Jones’ parents are friends with Ratsakanh’s dad. Jones attends Lincoln but graduated early and is currently taking a gap year to consider her future. Ratsakanh loves how Jones is comforting and a good listener. The two have good chemistry and have bonded really well.

Another person who is a good friend of Ratsakanh is our very own Mrs. Kelly! Ratsakanh sees her every time she visits the counselor’s office. Mrs. Kelly often tells stories of her youngest daughter with Ratsakanh’s older sister, Lisa. Ratsakanh has known Mrs. Kelly throughout her time in high school and has even been to her house a couple times when Lisa met up with Mrs. Kelly’s daughter. Ratsakanh loves how Mrs. Kelly gives valuable advice and enjoys conversing with her whenever she can.

A theme I observed while interviewing Ratsakanh was that she knows how to overcome her fears and the stress that comes her way. It’s not easy being a teen, especially in this era of time we live in, and Ratsakanh has had her fair share of stress and drama, but seeing her come into school everyday with a smile shows it doesn’t affect her. Resilient and fortitude are two words I would use to describe her mentality. Possessing those two qualities is beneficial to any teen, regardless of what social status or sports they do. 

Her concluding statement to me was “live in the moment and you will get the ending you deserve.” She wants people to feel comfortable to write their life story and go out being their true selves. “It’s your story to make.”

So, if you ever see Ratsakanh in the halls, say hi because she is more than willing to talk to you. She is a resilient and strong-minded person who knows how to adapt to the world around her. Also, watch out for her if she is dancing in an Asian festival during the summer.