Every month, one student from each grade is picked to receive the title of Student of the Month. The students picked are those that stand out from their peers and presents themselves in a light that shows that they excel. The R-Hi Newspaper was able to get in touch with the four winners for exclusive interviews on their thoughts on winning the title and allowing our readers to know more about them on a personal level.
Kate Dillon – Freshman Student of the Month
Interviewer: Tell me about yourself. What are your interests, hobbies, activities?
Kate: I’m part of the Freshman volleyball team and I’m going to tryout for basketball. I’m very into art and I’m involved in the art club. I also did a beach cleanup recently. For academics, I prefer the math and history side of things; I’m also into mythology, like Egyptian, Greek, Roman, and a little bit of northern. I prefer fiction books, like fantasy, which is where my interest of mythology comes from, but reading nonfiction is good once in a while. I don’t really know what career I want to pursue or a college I want to go to, but I’m looking forward to see which one I’ll be choosing.
Interviewer: What are your general thoughts on being Student of the Month?
Kate: I would say I’m very honored to have been chosen so early in my high school years, especially for my class. I’m proud to have the title. My friends and family are very proud that I got this title as well.
Interviewer: What was your reaction when you heard that you were Student of the Month?
Kate: Well, it was actually kind of awkward. Mr. Debari pulled me out of World History and I was nervous because I didn’t what I did wrong as Mr. Debari is the one who gives detention. I was sitting in the office and waiting for him to get the other students. When I found out, I was excited and it was a heartfelt moment for me that I was chosen. When they announced the winners, I was in Spanish class and the people there didn’t know me, so there wasn’t much of a reaction. My spanish teacher and the students I was working with congratulated me though.
Interviewer: What do you think you did that would have made them choose you as Student of the Month?
Kate: I would say it was because of outstanding achievement, high grades, and participation.
Interviewer: Is there anybody that you would like to see be Student of the Month in December?
Kate: Hmm, I don’t know, there’s so many to pick from. I guess I would say Ava Stadler and Taida Bisic. I know Ava is part of the swim team and Taida is playing soccer and trying out for basketball. There’re hard working and they all have honor classes. Those two are the ones I can think of out of the top of my head.
Interviewer: Will you be reading the R-Hi newspaper knowing that this interview will be in it?
Kate: Yes, definitely.
Interviewer: Anything you want to say to our readers?
Kate: If you put your mind to it, you can achieve anything!
Ian Ensuncho – Sophomore Student of the Month
Interviewer: Tell me about yourself. What are your interests, hobbies, activities?
Ian: Well, I’m 15 years old and I guess you already know that I go to this school. I’m a swimmer in both the Rebel Aquatic Club and the High School’s swim team. I work at a part-time job as a lifeguard. In my free time, I enjoy playing video games and chess. I’m also part of the chess club. In terms of academics, I prefer history and math the most as they seem the most fun. I haven’t really thought about what college I want to go to, but I guess I would like to go somewhere close by, like Rutgers or Princeton. I haven’t considered a possible career yet; may be either a math teacher or an engineer. I had the most exposure to those jobs as my mom is a math teacher and my dad is an engineer.
Interviewer: What are your general thoughts on being Student of the Month?
Ian: I consider it an honor and I thank whoever is responsible for deciding this position. My friends and family have congratulated me. This is sort of an exciting time for me as my older cousin had a baby and I am going to see the baby this December. This would be the first time there was a baby in my immediate family since I was born. It’ll be kind of exciting to be an older family member. Overall, me being Student of the Month is something my family is proud of.
Interviewer: What was your reaction when you heard that you were Student of the Month?
Ian: I was really scared. Mr. Debari brought me and another kid into a room and he didn’t say anything. I was really nervous and I wondered what I could have done. But when he announced that I was one of the Students of the Month winners, the original shock from being nervous didn’t go away, but I was happy and felt pride.
Interviewer: What do you think you did that would have made them choose you as Student of the Month?
Ian: He did give an answer on why I was chosen, but I don’t remember. If I were to guess why it was probably motivation and good grades.
Interviewer: Is there anybody that you would like to see be Student of the Month in December?
Ian: If I had to pick, I would choose my friend Aaryon as he’s the type of guy who cares about his grades a lot and really wants to do well in school. I think he would be a good pick.
Interviewer: Will you be reading the R-Hi newspaper knowing that this interview will be in it?
Ian: Yes, I’ll definitely check it out. It’s on the school website, right?
Interviewer: Anything you want to say to our readers?
Ian: Time management is important because, without it, you’ll just fall apart. Stay motivated, whether it’s through a reward or something else, remain motivated!
Steve Pisciotta – Junior Student of the Month
Interviewer: Tell me about yourself. What are your interests, hobbies, activities?
Steve: Oh, hmm, what to say about myself. Well, I play on the football team, playing against Jefferson pretty soon. I’m generally a good kid, a good friend. I’m a Student Council representative. Hmm, what else can I say? I’ve been enjoying APUSH this year. In my free time, you know, I hang out with friends, play video games. I’m not going to say what. I also do wrestling. In general, I like doing exciting things. I have looked into a few colleges, might go to one for business. I might also play football in college. I would like to go somewhere small, I suppose.
Interviewer: What are your general thoughts on being Student of the Month?
Steve: I would say that it’s pretty nice, but I would say that it’s nothing exciting, nothing to be worked up over. Wait! I shouldn’t say that, this is supposed to be about why this award is great, can you delete that?
Interviewer: What is said, is said.
Steve: Oh. I mean, it’s nice on the first day, but it’s not very important. I think people put too much pressure on these sorts of things. Will I remember this? I probably won’t. I shouldn’t be getting crazy over something I won’t remember during college. Beating Jefferson is something I’ll remember years from now, but not getting Student of the Month. My friends and family are proud that I got the award, but I might be the only one who thinks this isn’t a big deal.
Interviewer: What was your reaction when you heard that you were Student of the Month?
Steve: I would say it was great. But, you know, you’ll always get excited when you get anything like this, like an award. To me, there isn’t much meaning around it.
Interviewer: Why do you think you became Student of the Month?
Steve: I guess being nice to your teachers, like saying “hi” to them. Do well in school and stay involved.
Interviewer: Is there anybody that you would like to see be Student of the Month in December?
Steve: Who would I choose? I guess Van Weber, Zack Herninko. I mean, they’re part of the football team, but they’re good kids, they get work done, don’t get into trouble. A lot of people are friends with them. They left a positive impact on the community.
Interviewer: Will you be reading the R-Hi newspaper knowing that this interview will be in it?
Steve: Yeah, I’ll read it.
Interviewer: Anything you want to say to our readers?
Steve: Enjoy your friendships. Get involved as much as possible and make the most of high school.
Doug Russel – Senior Student of the Month
Interviewer: Tell me about yourself. What are your interests, hobbies, activities?
Doug: Football! Football! Football! It’s all football! I’m a huge supporter of the golf club, the ski club, oh, and shoutout to Mr. Mett! I have a good relationship with the teachers. I’m not really sure about college, maybe I’ll go to a bigger college for business management or sports management. I’m interested in joining somewhere where I can build internal relationships that will help build my status, I guess.
Interviewer: What are your general thoughts on being Student of the Month?
Doug: I would say that I’m very thankful and it’s an honor to win the award. I’ll remember this for a long time afterward. My family is very proud, extremely proud. My teammates and coaches are all very proud, all expected it.
Interviewer: What was your reaction when you heard that you were Student of the Month?
Doug: Very excited, but I wasn’t sure what to expect at first, it was a little sus. When I found out, I was overcome with joy. I suppose I was grateful and blessed.
Interviewer: What do you think you did that would have made them choose you as Student of the Month?
Doug: They probably chose me because I showed leadership skills both inside and outside the classroom. Allow others to reach a higher level of themselves. Allowing them to grow and is very friendly with others. Being trustworthy and being a good listener as well.
Interviewer: Is there anybody that you would like to see be Student of the Month in December?
Doug: I recommend George as December’s Student of the Month! He’s hardworking, determined, confident, balances his work schedule with school; a true visionary!
Interviewer: Will you be reading the R-Hi newspaper knowing that this interview will be in it?
Doug: Yes, I will!
Interviewer: Anything you want to say to our readers?
Doug: I would like to say to the younger students to enjoy their time in high school. It flies by, so make the most time out of it. Don’t be nervous about the future, just take it one day at a time.