High school is only four years long. In the grand scheme of life, it’s a blip.

But if you do it right—if you pour yourself into every moment, every performance, every song, every friendship—then that small window of time can change you forever.

For Olivia Howe, a senior at Salem Community High School, those four years have been filled with music, theater, leadership, and the kind of deep connection to a place that doesn’t disappear after graduation.

She’s been a force on stage, a guiding hand in the band, a voice in the choir, and a mentor to the students who will follow in her footsteps. And now, as she prepares to move on, she’s feeling what so many seniors feel at this stage—equal parts excitement for the future and a bittersweet reluctance to leave a place that has meant so much.

Ask Olivia where she’s spent most of her time over the past few years, and the answer is immediate.

"I’ve probably spent more hours in the theater than I have at my actual house these past couple of months," she laughs.

The stage has been a home for her—a place where she can transform into different characters, tell powerful stories, and lose herself in the magic of performance.

Her love for theater started early.

"I’ve been doing theater since I was five," Olivia says. Missoula Children's Theatre was her entry point, and after one brief detour into volleyball (which she liked, but which never quite tugged at her heart like performing did), she was back under the lights.

Her roles have changed over the years—ensemble one year, a lead role the next. But no matter where she stood on stage, she belonged.

Olivia doesn’t just perform on stage. She leads in front of it—conducting the Salem Community High School marching band as drum major for both her junior and senior years.

Being drum major is about more than waving a baton and leading the charge on a football field. It’s about serving the band members, supporting them, and being the first person they turn to when they need help.

"It's kind of like being a manager," Olivia explains. "When the band has a problem, I’m the first one to help. If I can’t fix it, then we take it to Mr. Randolph. But my job is to be there for them first."

And that? That’s a responsibility she takes to heart.

Her leadership has left an imprint—not just in the band, but in every corner of Salem Community High School.

If you’ve attended a football or basketball game at Salem Community High School, chances are, you’ve heard Olivia’s voice ring through the speakers.

She’s become a go-to performer for the National Anthem, singing it at packed stadiums and gymnasiums, including the championship game of the Salem Invitational Tournament.

"There were so many people there, some didn’t even have seats," she remembers. "It was nerve-wracking, but at the same time, it was such an honor."

Unlike some performers who like to add flourishes and personal touches to the anthem, Olivia keeps it pure, traditional, and deeply respectful—a decision influenced by her upbringing in a military family.

"I grew up in a military household, so for me, it’s about honoring the song the way it was meant to be sung," she explains.

It’s not about standing in the spotlight—it’s about lifting up something greater than herself.

A Future of Service and Purpose

As graduation approaches, Olivia is preparing for her next chapter—one that will take her to Ozark Christian College in Joplin, Missouri, where she will major in Counseling and Pastoral Care and minor in Music.

Her long-term goal?

"I want to get my doctorate in psychology and open my own counseling clinic," she says.

She envisions a place where people can find healing through therapy, music, and faith—where counseling isn’t just about mental health, but about holistic, spiritual, and artistic well-being.

"I want it to be open to everyone," she says. "But I also want it to be a place where people can seek spiritual guidance if they need it. Music therapy is a growing field, and I’d love to incorporate that too."

It’s a perfect blend of her passion for music, her deep faith, and her desire to serve others.

If there’s one thing Olivia wants people to know about Salem, it’s that this town takes care of its own.

"This place has shaped me," she says. "Salem is full of honest, kind, generous people. If you get a flat tire, someone will stop to help. If you’re going through something, people will show up for you."

It’s not just the people—it’s also the support she’s seen for the arts.

"A lot of schools cut arts programs," she says. "Here? The administration supports us 100%. They encourage us. They celebrate us. That means everything."

And as she gets ready to leave, she knows she’s taking Salem with her.

A Light That Lasts

If you had to sum up Olivia Howe in one phrase, it might be this: a light for others.

She’s been a leader, a performer, a mentor, and a friend. She’s stood on stage, led from the front, and lifted up those around her.

Now, she’s heading out into the world—not to seek the spotlight, but to shine a light for others.

And that? That’s a legacy that will last far beyond four years of high school.