With New School Year comes New Seniors

Sept. 1 marks the day of a new Reading Memorial High School academic year, and is also the day many upcoming seniors have been looking forward to for a long time.

It is the class of 2011's turn to be the school's "top dogs," and the upcoming seniors are both excited and nervous about what the future has in store for them.

Upcoming senior Stephen Gordon has been involved with the RMHS drama program since he was a freshman, and feels drama is something that has made the high school experience something he will never forget.

"I really liked being involved with drama because everyone knows everyone and we all work together to make something. Everyone gets along great and I've learned a lot from drama and met a lot of awesome people," Gordon said.

Gordon will be looking for colleges with exceptional musical theater and graphic design programs because he plans to pursue a career in both fields after college.

"I feel nervous about being a senior because of the stress of the college application process and auditions. I will also be taking [advanced placement] classes so I'm a little nervous about the amount of work, but I'm also excited because there are so many opportunities and benefits of being a senior," Gordon said.

John Gillies, another member of the RMHS class of 2011, likes the idea of being one of the oldest kids on the block.

"I feel like now I'm going to run the school, and I'm also excited to leave Reading and go to college soon," Gillies said.

Gillies plays football and lacrosse for the Rockets, and is excited for sports to start up again.

"I absolutely feel playing high school sports has enhanced my overall high school experience, I met a lot of friends and enjoy to compete for my school,"

Gillies said Dr. Jeff Ryan, an RMHS history teacher, acted as a mentor for him and kept class interesting.

"He made class fun and made me want to go to school," Gillies said.

Ryan takes a group of students to tour Europe every year. The students and chaperones spend ten days exploring various countries, and Gillies was one of the students who went on this year's trip.

"It was the best ten days of my life and it made me want to go back to Europe someday and see even more of the world," Gillies said.

Both Gillies and Gordon describe extracurricular activities as something that greatly enhanced their high school careers, and recommend that upcoming freshmen get involved in a programs and field trips that interest them.