You can only have one: Rose’s caramel corn, an ice cream cone from Jersey Junction, or a Yesterdog. Which do you choose?
Ice cream cone.
What are your plans after graduation?
It's a three-step plan:
1) Major in math and computer science at MSU.
2) Become a high school teacher.
3) Save the world. Then eat some snacks.
What have you learned in East that will enable you to be successful?
I've had lots of amazing teachers to look up to! (But, it seems, none who convinced me that a proposition is the wrong word to end a sentence with...)
What were you like in school?
I'm always trying to break apart the things I know. Where are the edge cases? When does my mental model of the world break down? Finding inconsistencies and puzzling out a solution is exhilarating. (Constant questioning isn't always appreciated, but I can't help myself. If you've ever met a two-year-old, you know what I'm talking about.)
Did you have a favorite teacher or class?
I've always loved math class! But it's impossible to pick a favorite teacher. So many wonderful people looking out for me.
If you had to choose one moment in one location to serve as the signature moment of your East school experience, what would it be?
Why specify one moment "in one location"? Do people have moments that span many locations? Am I supposed to exist in many places at once? What are the horror stories that necessitate such precise language? Nobody writes that sentence without first encountering something unexpected...
What do you know now that you wish you’d known when you were younger?
Two things, equally important:
1. Plans are overrated. Make the right choice in each moment and act fast. Starting with a plan is like creating a map before leaving the house.
2. Sometimes when you copy + paste something, it comes out all ugly and mangled (wrong font/color/size/etc). To paste without formatting, include the shift key: Ctrl+Shift+V. Life-changing.
Who from East do you think you’ll stay in touch with in the future?
"My parents" seems like a safe bet.
What advice do you have for young East kids?
I'm glad you asked. After 18 whole years, I can tell you with great confidence that I have the perfect advice. I mean, what more is there to know? At this point, I probably possess all of the wisdom that exists in the world. Anyway, stay humble and don't be a hypocrite!
Bonus question: What are you glad we didn’t ask you about?
Anything I can't deflect into a joke or self-aggrandizing statement. Introspection is the enemy of happiness.
(I genuinely appreciate all of you, and hope your life turns out better than you could ever imagine. I'm here for you if you ever need something I can provide. The world is more malleable than you think; make it what you wish it could be!)
Want to read more Celebrating Our Seniors Virtual Cups of Coffee? Visit the page. And to help educate the next Pioneers during this crisis, contribute to One East.
