In Khloee Morris's kitchen, there's a story behind every dish. At fourteen, this eighth-grader has already mastered spaghetti, attempted homemade orange chicken (with "too much sesame oil"), and perfected the art of fried pickles—a process she describes with the precision of a seasoned chef.

"You gotta dry the pickles with paper towels, then put the batter on, put the batter on again, and then deep fry it," she explains, the technique coming back to her despite having made them "like two years ago."

As Khloee prepares to trade her junior high classroom for the high school halls, she stands at the threshold of new possibilities with the same methodical approach she applies to cooking: assess the ingredients, prepare carefully, and don't be afraid to experiment.

"I'm kind of nervous," she admits about the upcoming transition, noting with a hint of humor that one source of apprehension is that her 16-year-old brother "is gonna be in there" as a senior when she enters as a freshman.

Yet beneath the nerves lies genuine excitement about expanded opportunities, particularly the chance to pursue her longtime culinary interest. "I get to have more classes. Like I can do the cooking class and stuff," she says, her enthusiasm evident as she recalls, "When I was like eight, I wanted to have a restaurant."

That childhood dream remains alive, waiting in the wings as Khloee navigates the present. She approaches her academic subjects with the same practical mindset she brings to cooking, finding algebra "easy" while preparing for more advanced math courses in high school.

Beyond academics and culinary arts, Khloee has explored a variety of activities throughout her time at Momence Junior High. She currently plays softball and previously participated in basketball and cheerleading. Like many teens, she connects with books that capture her interest, naming "They Both Die in the End" as a recent favorite—a novel about two strangers living their final day together.

But perhaps the most remarkable ingredient in Khloee's recipe for success isn't found in her academic achievements or extracurricular activities. It's the wisdom she's garnered about self-worth—wisdom that seems unusually profound coming from someone so young.

When asked what advice she'd give to her younger self, Khloee doesn't hesitate: "I would tell her that you shouldn't worry about how people think about you."

She explains with striking clarity, "If you think about how much people think about you too much, then you're not gonna like yourself as much. Because if they don't like you..." she trails off, understanding evident in her pause.

This insight—don't give others the power to determine your worth—reveals a young woman who has learned to value her own perspective above external judgments. It's a lesson many adults struggle to master, yet Khloee carries it with her as she prepares for high school's challenges and opportunities.

As she looks toward her eighth-grade promotion ceremony, complete with a gown and the traditional walking across the stage, Khloee recognizes that some relationships may shift as she and her friends pursue different interests in high school. "I don't think I'm gonna see them much," she acknowledges, adding hopefully, "I'm hoping" to make new friends.

This capacity to accept change while maintaining hope perfectly complements her culinary approach: sometimes recipes don't turn out as expected, but you learn, adjust, and try again.

While her future may not yet have a defined menu, Khloee Morris has already mastered the most essential recipe—one for resilience and self-assurance. Whether she's frying pickles, playing softball, or navigating high school's unfamiliar hallways, she carries with her the understanding that her value isn't determined by others' opinions.

In this way, Khloee has prepared herself for whatever comes next far better than she realizes. For someone who has already learned that the most important ingredient in any endeavor is belief in oneself, the future—whatever its flavor—will surely taste sweet.