Meet the Staff: Royson Folas

What your full name and age?

Royson Folas, and I’m 15

Have you lived in West Orange your whole life?

No, I was born in the Bronx, New York. At the age of 3 I moved to Irvington, NJ. Then in 5th grade I moved to West Orange where I went to Mt.Pleasant Elementary School.

Do you have any siblings?

Yes, I have 2 sisters. The younger one, Stacy is 12 and goes to Liberty Middle School. My older one, Darlene is a junior here at the High School.

How do you like sharing your high school experience with your sister?

It’s nothing extraordinary, we do light teasing of each other in the hallways. However, some arguments in the morning cause problems throughout the day but I know I can always go to her if I need advice, or just someone to talk to.

How has your high school experience been so far and is what you expected?

No it is not what I expected, but at the same time I didn’t really know what to expect. I have made many new friends, learned a lot of new things, joined new clubs and extracurricular activities such as ROTC, tennis, and soccer. I have had a lot of ups and downs, but I have developed a fondness for high school.

What made you decide to join ROTC? And how are you liking it so far?

I come from a family of discipline, so when I saw a program that rewards you for having such qualities, I decided to try it out. I have enjoyed it so far, it is unlike anything I have done so far and has opened up a possibility for me to join the military when I grow up.

What hobbies do you enjoy to do outside of school?

I enjoy playing FIFA and soccer with my friends. I also like to eat, sleep, and write for the WOHS Pioneer.

Do you have any interest in colleges as of right now?

No, but my ideal college would be Princeton but I need to raise my GPA for that to happen. A more realistic school would be Rutgers, William Paterson, or Seton Hall.

Do you know what you want to study in college?

As a freshman I was scared that I wouldn’t have any options in college and struggled to have any ideas. This year i have take interest in things like the military and journalism.

What is your favorite school subject?

Either ROTC or newspaper.

Do you wish to accomplish any other things in high school?

I want to get a job, a car, and get recognized for something I’ve done.

How did you get into journalism/newspaper?

I joined journalism as a freshman because I didn’t know what electives to take but I started to enjoy writing about topics I was passionate about and I started getting complimented. I hope to write more in the future.

How has your experience on the soccer and tennis team been?

Ever since entering the high school, unfortunately my love and passion for soccer has diminished due to my lack of enjoyment on the WOBS. However, where there was bad there was good. I have become more interested in other sports like tennis and I think it’s good for a person to grow and see how their interests change.

What is your favorite part about high school?

Lunchtime. I don’t really eat at lunchtime but I view it as a chance to decompress and socialize.

What sports teams do you like?

FC Barcelona. Best sports team to ever play on this Earth don’t @ me. They play memorizing soccer and the amount of fans they have worldwide is astonishing.