LPS senior Alainah curates an A-plus future at Arts and Humanities Focus Program

February 17, 2026

Arts and Humanities Focus Program senior Alainah is designing a first-rate future with her intelligent, imaginative and inspired way of looking at the world.
 
Alainah is writing encouraging words in her life story at Arts and Humanities. The Lincoln High student is co-editor of the focus program’s yearbook, serves as Student Council president, takes Advanced Placement classes and organizes many school and community events. Her efforts have not only boosted her own self-confidence, but they have also impacted her friends, classmates and neighbors.
 
Alainah said she is thankful for the strong bonds she has created with Arts and Humanities classmates and teachers. She has known many of her instructors throughout her four years on campus, which has benefited her from both academic and social standpoints.
 
“I really enjoy how small it is and how I’ve had the same teachers the whole time,” Alainah said. “The teachers actually get a chance to know you. They know what works and what doesn’t, because they know your personality. Instead of having seven teachers, and then getting all new ones every semester, you keep the same ones here. I like how it’s really personal like that. I think it helps a lot.”

Arts and Humanities Focus Program senior Alainah smiles while sitting at a table in a corner office. She has both hands on the keyboard of her laptop, and an edition of the 2024-25 yearbook is open next to her on the table.

From left, Arts and Humanities Focus Program senior Alainah shares a laugh with a friend in one of her art classes. They are using notebooks to begin sketching designs for an upcoming project.
 
Arts and Humanities Administrator Darla Berks said Alainah has become a beloved mentor to many fellow students. In addition to excelling in the academic arena, she also boosts the overall school environment with her caring personality.
 
“She is a student who engages in class and puts forth great effort in the work she does,” Berks said. “She shares ideas and thoughts, and she listens to the perspectives of others. She is also a person who is kind and supportive of others. She’s positive and encouraging to her classmates.”
 
Those traits were evident one morning in Michelle Hrbek’s sculpture class. Alainah smiled with others as they sketched preliminary drawings of future projects. They brainstormed ideas together, provided helpful feedback and worked with Hrbek to figure out the best plans to use.
 
Hrbek said Alainah has made the most of her Arts and Humanities experiences.
 
“Alainah is a force to be reckoned with,” Hrbek said. “Her blend of tenacity, cleverness and optimism makes difficult tasks achievable. Thus far, nothing has stood in her way, so I can’t imagine the future will be any different.”

Arts and Humanities Focus Program senior Alainah smiles as she pulls art supplies out of a bag in her class.

Arts and Humanities Focus Program senior Alainah flips through pages of the 2024-25 yearbook while sitting at a table. She is using her left hand to move the pages, and her right hand is typing on a laptop that is next to her. She has been part of the yearbook team for several years.
 
Lincoln Public Schools began planning the Arts and Humanities curriculum in 1997 and hired the original team of teachers the following year. The focus program is designed for students who enjoy subjects such as fine arts, writing, history, literature and philosophy. They take courses in math, social studies, English and art and have many experiential learning opportunities.
 
Alainah said she has enjoyed the in-depth nature of her classes. She has explored the powerful impact of poetry, cultural knowledge of world history and creative expressions of two-dimensional art with her friends. She said the courses have taught her how to analyze information, organize materials and search for the best solutions.
 
“Critical thinking is a really big deal here,” Alainah said. “Really, every single project is making you think deeper about things, and since it’s about arts and humanities, we think a lot about the world itself. It’s making me think about everything going on in the world and how it affects me, how the past affects the future, and everything like that. I think it will really help with college.”
 
A few Arts and Humanities classes are geared for specific grade levels, but many courses have a mixture of students from the entire high school population. Alainah said that has created a tight-knit community.

Arts and Humanities Focus Program senior Alainah discusses a project idea with a classmate. The classmate is in the foreground of the picture and Alainah is in the background. They are looking at a laptop while sitting at a table.

Arts and Humanities Focus Program senior Alainah discusses a project idea with a classmate. They are looking at a drawing that the classmate is showing Alainah on her laptop.
 
“I think it helps a lot, especially with the humanities projects, because you’re getting to know a bunch of different people from all of the grades,” Alainah said. “If you need help with something, you know that you could go talk to this person. You have a lot of connections to things because everybody’s close with each other.”
 
That comfortable environment has helped Alainah flourish as a leader. She has played a key role in organizing Student Council projects such as school dances and community outreach programs. She was hesitant about joining the group early in her high school career, but after taking the plunge as a sophomore, she fell in love with its management aspects.
 
“It’s really rewarding,” Alainah said. “I really enjoy it, especially helping the people in Student Council plan the activities. Knowing I was a part of that, and then seeing people enjoy the things that all of us took the time to plan is really cool.”
 
Berks said Alainah’s soaring confidence is evident in other activities as well. She is helping to arrange a 112-page yearbook that will include coverage of dozens of Arts and Humanities projects and events. She has interviewed many students for stories and has used her camera to document their achievements.
 
“Alainah has grown as a leader,” Berks said. “Other students look to her and see her as a role model.”

Arts and Humanities Focus Program senior Alainah types on her laptop while glancing down at a page in the 2024-25 school yearbook. She has been part of the yearbook team for several years.

Arts and Humanities Focus Program senior Alainah smiles inside the building. She is sitting by a round table in the middle of a large room. A television screen and multiple pieces of art are in the background.
 
Alainah has been accepted to several colleges and is considering careers ranging from entrepreneurship to cosmetology. She said her Arts and Humanities experiences have prepared her well for the next chapter of life.
 
“I think it’s because I’ve had high standards set here,” Alainah said. “Being at Arts and Humanities shows I can work well under pressure and handle big challenges. It’s taught me a bunch of things about the world and myself and social interactions in general.”
 
Want to choose your journey with the Arts and Humanities Focus Program? Explore next steps with the focus program. 
 
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Published: February 17, 2026, Updated: February 27, 2026

Arts

Arts and Humanities Focus Program senior Alainah is designing a first-rate future with her work on campus. She takes Advanced Placement classes, organizes many school and community events and is involved in multiple Arts and Humanities activities.