Sienna Helms has had a fascination with court cases since she was a young girl. While some of Missoula’s graduating seniors are still undecided about their future, Helms is determined to pursue a career in law and assist victims of crimes.
“I’ve always been intrigued by crime, how people handle it, and following court cases to see the outcomes,” Helms expressed. “I enjoy watching and learning from them.”
Helms recently graduated from Big Sky High School.
Sienna Helms, who graduated from Big Sky High School on Saturday, June 1, 2024, plans to attend the University of Montana this fall to study criminology and sociology.
Her time at Big Sky began with mask mandates and Zoom classes, but she found unwavering support from her teachers and peers, making her school experience truly remarkable.
Helms, a Missoula native, attended Target Range School from kindergarten through eighth grade. The pandemic hit during her final year of middle school, adding to the challenges of transitioning to high school.
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Helms also lives with a rare, progressive condition called Friedreich’s ataxia, which impacts balance and heart health due to communication issues between the brain and nervous system.
“My brother and I both have this condition, which made it challenging for us to fit in,” Helms shared.
Despite her challenges, Helms found her place at Big Sky. She participated in the cheerleading team throughout her high school years, attending football games and competing in national cheer events.
She discovered a passion for working on the school yearbook and excelled in her English classes. Helms emphasized the impact her English teacher, Meleina Helmer, had on her education and personal growth.
“I feel like she taught me more than just English; she taught me life skills and how to navigate adulthood,” Helms reflected.
Helmer commended Helms for her hard work and positive attitude, highlighting their discussions on various topics beyond English, such as finances, recipes, and college plans.
“She is bright, positive, and always eager to learn,” Helmer praised. “She collaborates wonderfully with everyone.”
Helms expressed gratitude towards her teachers for their openness and support towards students.
As an advocate for Friedreich’s ataxia, Helms worked with her teachers to raise awareness through film screenings and posters at the school.
Sienna Helms plans to work in Missoula over the summer before beginning her studies at UM in the fall.
“I had all my teachers create ‘Cure FA’ posters using unique methods like watercolor or elk antlers, which was really cool,” Helms shared.
Helms plans to stay in Missoula for now, intending to pursue criminology with a minor in sociology at the University of Montana. Growing up, she realized her passion for making a difference in the courtroom.
She envisions a future working as a county attorney or a patent attorney and is considering attending law school in a larger city for a change of scenery.
Currently, she is enjoying the joy of graduation with her friends before embarking on her next chapter.
“Graduation feels like it happened in the blink of an eye,” she remarked.
Griffen Smith is the local government reporter for the Missoulian.
