How long have you been in the Pioneer? 

This is my second year at the Pioneer  newspaper. Last year I was the Sports Editor in Chief and this year I am the Managing Editor of the Pioneer

What inspired you to take journalism classes here?

A lot of the electives that the high school offered when I was a freshman didn’t really interest me but I had an interest in writing [during] 8th grade so I decided to take a journalism class. 

What is the most rewarding thing about being apart of the Pioneer?

It’s really nice to be apart of another program at the school…  it [is] good to know that you’re helping provide information for the community. It’s [also] a good experience because I’m taking on a new leadership role 

They say junior year is the most difficult part of high school, how do you plan on tackling the pressure that comes with being a Junior? 

I understand [that] the mentality I had my Freshman and Sophomore year is not going to work Junior year, so I plan on being more organized overall [and] having a little bit more discipline. I want this year to be a really crucial point in my life where I develop a lot as a person and get rid of those bad habits like procrastination. 

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

When I’m not overwhelmed with school work, I like to play video games, I’m always on my phone on Instagram and Snapchat like most teenagers. That’s basically it. I don’t watch much TV, it’s not for me.

What is one song you can never get tired of hearing? 

The National Anthem. No but seriously, no song.  Literally every time I have a favorite song, I listen to it on repeat 40 times and then I just get sick of it and never want to hear it again.

Do you have a favorite artist?’

Yeah. I go through [phases] kind of like how a girl in elementary school goes through her favorite boy bands, I have my favorite artists. First it was Super Duper Kyle, then Tobi Lou, A Boogie wit da Hoodie, Lil Nas X. But I would say my favorite artist who has the best singing/rapping ability is J Cole, I like his lyrics. 

If you could meet one person who would you meet it be and why?

Barack Obama! He just has this personality that I just strive to [have]. Whenever Barack Obama made an important decision he took the opinion of the people… to make the country the greatest it could be and I think he did a really good job. I’m kind of a patriotic guy… I do ROTC at the highschool. 

Do you think that ROTC has made you more of a patriotic person?

Definitely. Until 8th grade, I was kind of negligent toward patriotism, but in ROTC you learn the values that the country has and why it’s so important [to do] something simple as just standing up for the pledge of allegiance because there’s been millions of people who have died fighting for the country. 

Is ROTC  your favorite class? 

It’s actually tied with Newspaper. Newspaper, I feel like it’s relaxed, I can write about stuff that I enjoy, but in ROTC while t’s a more stressful environment [but] it instills the values of discipline and responsibility… [that] will help a lot in the future

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give to your past self? 

Don’t be so fat. Work out. I was so unhealthy as a child, but now I would tell him to do some more exercise [and]  start soccer earlier — because I started in 7th or 8th grade — I feel like it would’ve helped my fitness a little bit more. But it is what it is. 

Where do you see yourself 10 years from now? 

It’s really hard to see. I think this year will be a defining year for myself… I feel like the goal would be to go to West Point like a high profile college, but it all depends on how much work I’m willing to put in this year.