SNAPSHOTS

Cats or dogs: Dogs

Favorite fruit: Pineapple

Spirit animal: Panda

Comedy or horror movies: Comedy

Favorite dessert: Cheesecake

ZOOMING IN

Q: What college will you attend? What is your intended major?

A: “I’m planning on majoring in physics and astronomy at Texas A&M University.”

Q: What extracurriculars have you been involved in throughout high school?

A: “I’ve been on the football team all four years of high school. I’ve been in StuCo for four years, and I was an officer for my first two. I am an officer for NHS and Interact, I’m in Junior World Affairs Council, I was on Academic Decathlon, and I’m also in New Alpha Beta.”

Q: What was the most challenging aspect about balancing extracurriculars and academics?

A: “I would just say time management because I know some nights I was up until like 2 a.m. doing U.S. History homework after football practice and clubs. But time management has taught me so much, especially for college. I’ve been able to push myself and be in places that I wouldn’t be now if I hadn’t learned that.”

Q: What class was the most challenging for you? Why?

A: “Either AP U.S. History or pre-cal. Just because they brought on new ways of thinking, especially with pre-cal. Everybody knows how to do math to a certain point and then once you hit a wall it’s like ‘How do you go from here?’ It definitely taught me how to think of things in a different way. With APUSH, there was just so much work you have to do and you have to dedicate your whole being to it to make it good. That class taught me how to study correctly and read a textbook.”

Q: Who has helped you the most throughout these last four years? How have they helped you?

A: ”First and foremost: my parents. They are always there for me just to be a rock to lean on. And definitely my friend Christian [Nagel]. He’s always there when I need someone to talk to outside of school and in school, since we’ve had classes together. We’ve been friends since we were in second grade. I can always come to him with anything and everything.”

Q: What has been the most memorable part of high school?

A: “I think I’d be tripping if I didn’t say playing football, playing at the old Rangers stadium and getting to go so far in playoffs. Just being able to play football for four years, building those relationships with those friends and seeing where that got us was most memorable.” 

Q: What advice would you give to your freshman self?

A: “Make more time for the people you love. Talk to the people you care about and the people you see in passing. Just talk to them.”

Q: What are you most excited about regarding college?

A: “I’m excited for the people. I want to be able to find people with the same passions and people who identify with me, and we share the same interests. I’ve been able to find some great friends here, but I know it would be just one step further into the niche of the people I have.”

Q: Where do you hope to see yourself in 10 years?

A: “Hopefully finishing up a doctorate and maybe even trying to work for Nasa or Space X or something like that.”

Q: What would you change about your high school experience?

A: “Probably nothing. I think that all of it was the way it was supposed to be and that’s why I’m standing here today.”