This week’s Farmer Focus is on Katelyn McIntyre, and her involvement in Academic Decathlon and Theater.

SNAPSHOTS

Favorite food: Sushi

Favorite color: Green

Favorite drink: Hot matcha latte

Favorite season: Fall

Cats or Dogs: Cats

ZOOMING IN

Q: When and how did you get into theater?

A: “I’ve actually been doing theater for a really long time. I’ve done it since I was a kid, and I knew we didn’t really have a theater department when I was in middle school. I knew that as soon as I got into high school, I would get involved, and I’ve been involved since freshman year.”

Q: Do you ever get anxious before performances?

A: “Yeah, there’s definitely a certain amount of anxiety that just comes with the territory. But, as I’ve grown in my skills, I’ve been able to deal with it.”

Q: What’s your favorite memory from theater?

A: “When I [act] in general, I love the competitive aspect of it and how close I get with my cast members. It’s just a really bonding experience and I really enjoy that. I also really enjoyed the musical this year; I had a lot of fun.”

Q:What challenges have you faced in theater?

A: “I would say it’s definitely a big part of my life nowadays, so balancing it with my schoolwork is a big [challenge].”

Q: How is your relationship with the other kids in theater? Do you get along well?

A: “I will say we’ve had some struggles in the past. But, especially this year, we’ve prioritized creating a bigger community where we’re all friendly with each other. I think we’ve really achieved that this year, and I’m proud of that.”

Q: What gives you motivation to work hard on theater and other extracurriculars?

A: “Seeing the fruits of my labor, seeing a full show put together or doing well in an Academic Decathlon competition, it’s really fulfilling. Also, just seeing younger kids really develop a passion for it as we go along and the knowledge that they’re going to become what I have become one day, that really makes me happy.”

Q: When did you join AcDec?

A: “I actually joined it this year. I didn’t know we had an academic team until last year, and so I wanted to join this year.”

Q: Why did you want to join AcDec?

A: “It was just the appeal. Again, I’m a competitive person at heart, so I really enjoy that. I also think it’s interesting having to balance all the different loads of information you got to learn for a bunch of different subjects.”

Q: Was there a specific time that made you realize you belong in AcDec?

A: “I think as I began to grow closer with my teammates, while it is individual competitions, it’s also a team sport at heart and especially during the Super Quiz event at the very end. I felt like I was really a part of a team at that point.”

Q: Who drives you to succeed academically and with your extracurriculars?

A: “I would say my parents instilled that in me as a kid, and I’ve been able to carry that over and be responsible for my own work. It’s definitely a lot of discipline, being able to balance everything.”

Q: How do you balance both theater and AcDec?

A: “A lot of hard work. It can be really stressful at times. I just think as long as you do a little bit of both, every single day, keep staying disciplined, then you can manage it.”