VYPE: What are your personal goals for the year?

My personal goals for this year are as follows:

1.Ensure I have set myself up well for the future in terms of future employment.  

2. Graduate from Sacred Heart High School while also simultaneously graduating from Salina Area Technical College. 

3. Constantly change for the better and always strive to be the best version of myself that I possibly can be. 

VYPE: What is the most fun you have had in the last year?

The first thing that comes to mind when I read this question is the Hays football camp I attended last summer with the coaching staff and a handful of my teammates.  This camp was a privilege. I got the opportunity to spend time with my teammates on and off the field. At school, we practice together or lift weights together, or see one another during the day. At this camp, we had one another’s backs, picked each other up, and were able to sit down and talk about the things we liked or had in common.

It was a time to bond, not just with my teammates but also with the new coaching staff. Last but not least, we beat Hays in an upset in a tournament Fort Hays held on campus. It was also tons of fun, and I loved seeing the faces of the Fort Hays officials who did not expect us to win!

VYPE: Who is your favorite teacher from any grade, and why?

My favorite teacher would have to be Carl Hines (or Mr. Hines) from twelfth grade Government class. To keep a long story short, Mr. Hines is one of the best human beings I have ever met. Sometimes as a student, you will forget he’s a teacher and talk to him like he’s one of your best buds.

There were times when I didn’t have time for lunch, and he would give me the Poptarts that he packed with his lunch. He did not have to do that, and even though it may seem like a small gesture of kindness, it means much more to me. A good way to put it is Mr. Hines is that really cool uncle or older cousin that you grew up with and always had your back no matter what.

I also have to mention Kathy Schmidtberger (or Mrs. Schmidtberger). She has been a mentor and friend throughout my time at Sacred Heart. I can’t thank her enough.

VYPE: What is your favorite athletic memory?

My favorite athletic memory is from my freshman year in football. I remember being told by the coach at the time to go in and be what we called a ¨personal protector¨ for our punter. When I went in and got in position, the ball was snapped.

As the name suggests, I had to protect, and well, I did just that. As I and two other teammates formed a wall to ward off any coming defenders, I saw the biggest guy on the opposing team running full speed at me.

In my head, I just wanted to duck and hide, but I knew I couldn’t do that. If I didn’t do my job, he would cause the punter to fumble the ball. I had to take the hit. When he hit me, I felt my feet come up from underneath me, and my head crack backward, and the sensation of the air rushing across my body as I was sent flying through the air and onto my back.

Now, this isn’t my favorite memory because I got hit –it’s my favorite because I got up! I believe without perseverance; people won’t get anywhere in life.

VYPE: What teammate has left the biggest impression on you and why?

The teammate that has left the biggest impact on me was Riddick Goss. Riddick and I are now very good friends and have been since the beginning of this most recent football season. Riddick’s spirit is incorruptible.

Riddick is someone who, throughout the football season and this school year, never gave up. He was always picking up our teammates, myself included. He helped me keep a cool head, and he always saw the best in even the vilest situations.

VYPE: What is your favorite part of being on this team?

My favorite part was definitely the atmosphere. In my 6 years of playing football, I don’t think I had ever seen this amount of unity on our football team. The coaches and the players did an excellent job of turning around the football program and making it welcoming to new players who will join next year. I am proud to say I am a Sacred Heart Knight.  

VYPE: You can pick any place for a summer vacation. Where do you go, and who do you take with you?

If I could pick any place for a summer vacation, I would pick Hawaii. I would take my Father, siblings, and Mother. I would mostly bring my Mother because as I grew up, I watched her make every sacrifice possible to ensure me and my siblings had what we needed and were taken care of. Many times she has worked multiple jobs. I am very grateful for her and what she has done for me. She loves the beach, and taking her to Hawaii would be the tip of the iceberg to start repaying her back for all that she has done for my family and me.

VYPE: If we gave you $500 and you had to spend it in the next 24 hours, what would you spend it on?

First, I would buy two of the nicest bouquets of flowers for my Mother and Grandmother. Then I would get my Mother a new pair of shoes, jeans, and a warm jacket. With what is left over, I would spend on food for our cockatoo, two cats, and two birds.

VYPE: Do you participate in any community service projects?

I do occasionally participate in community service projects with Sacred Heart. For example, every year, we send groups of students out to do various volunteer activities like assisting the Ashby House, moving furniture, or setting up new locations for more housing.

VYPE: What Clubs or Campus groups are you involved with and why?

I do not participate in clubs or campus groups. I have found that participating in football, working part-time, maintaining my grades, and attending  Salina Area Technical College for auto body repair take up most of my time.