THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – Friday, May 22, 2020 Page 9 ASKS | from page 8 their Honors Program. She just graduated this year and she’s going to be onto bigger and better things. I think she plans on being a surgeon, eventually. And I have a younger sister who is in the sixth grade now: Peyton DiBiasio. She’s a great basketball player. That’s her thing. She’s at the Belmonte. She’s definitely a great student. I don’t know how she does both of them, but she’s a tremendous athlete. Q: So you want to be an engineer. Anything particular? A: I really have a passion for golf. Ideally, maybe I can do something in the mechanical field and maybe go on to work for a golf company – maybe designing golf clubs or something like that. That would be ideal. But anything where I can look to improve things that we use in our daily lives for the better, using the skills and the passions I have – I’d be more than happy to do that. Q: What makes you such an exceptional student? A: I would say my ability to manage my time. I’d say I had an enjoyable High School experience, hanging out with my friends. I played sports. At the end of the day, I found time to sit down, get all my homework done, study for tests and quizzes and develop relationships with my teachers. I think that all helped me to succeed. Q: And what does it feel like to achieve this honor, of being the second highest ranking student in your class? I understand there may have been a little friendly competition with the top student. A: Yes. It definitely made school a little interesting. Matt and I were always talking to each other about “Hey, how did you do on that quiz?” It was a friendly competition, but I think it was a great relationship I had with Matt, and we worked to excel for the better. We used the competition to stay on top of our studies, take some great classes and just become better students. Q: Do you have anybody special that you look up to? Who is your role model? Who had a big influence on the student you turned out to be? A: I would say it was a combination of my older sisters as well as my parents; I don’t think I can give it to just one of them. Both of my older sisters had great work ethics in High School as well as college. They both did really well. And my parents – always caring for me, supporting me in all of my endeavors. I’d say I looked up to them for emotional support and how to become a better person; whereas a student, I would say I looked up more to my older sisters and strive to accomplish what they’ve done. Q: Any special teacher? A: Yeah, Mr. [Bill] Palmerini in the fifth grade. I’d say of all of the teachers I’ve had, no one has impacted me more than him. At the ripe age of 10 or 11, I went into public speaking, and I will carry that skill with me my whole life. To me, it’s never been an issue after taking his class, and I think that was just a great skill I learned from him. Q: Have you been in contact with your teacher? A: Yes. For the past two years, I helped him with an elementary school robotics program, where we went into competitions. I’ve been in close contact with him. It’s sort of interesting. My family and Mr. Palmerini had a special relationship: My parents have four children; all four children had Mr. Palmerini for fifth grade. Q: Wow! That’s something. What’s your favorite subject? A: My favorite would definitely be Math or Science Q: Besides achieving the honor of being the Salutatorian of your class, what has been the highlight of your High School career? What is your proudest accomplishment? A: A few things – I’d say Vice President of the National Honor Society as well as being Captain of the Golf Team for two years. Q: When you’re not being a student or working, how do you like to spend your free time? A: Either spending it with my friends or my family – I spend a lot of time with my younger sister, Peyton, playing basketball or playing games around the house, especially now. If not, I always hang out with my friends, having fun. Q: Do you have a girlfriend? If so, tell me a little bit about her. Is she in the class? A: I do. Her name is Madison Slane. She was a year ahead of me. She graduated in 2019. She’s a freshman at Clemson University. She’s a Pre-Vet major. She wants to become a veterinarian. She’s amazing. It’s been tough having sort of a long-distance relationship, but when she’s home, I enjoy time with her. Q: Let’s talk a little bit about COVID-19 and how this has impacted your senior year of High School. What will you remember five to 10 years from now? A: It certainly will be impossible to forget this senior year. I’d say it’s the most unique senior year that anybody can probably have. Looking back on it five years from now, I will probably think it was pretty cool to have been in the only class that went through something like this and come out of it okay. Right now, it kind of hurts to miss all the activities, like prom and awards night and graduation – but now we hear we will have graduation, so that’s a relief. Q: Are you still writing a Salutatorian Address. If so, what will be the message to your classmates and the community? A: Yes, I’m still writing it. I was just waiting for the okay that we would have a graduation to begin. And I’m looking forward to addressing my class. As far as a message, I haven’t decided anything yet. It’s still up in the air. Q: A lot of people that know you probably think that school comes easy for you. Does it? Could you relax a little and still excel in the classroom? A: Yeah. I’d say that’s one flaw about me. I’d say I am a little too relaxed as a student. School actually does come pretty easy to me. It’s accompanied by a lot of hard work, but I’d say I’m more of a relaxed student. Q: As a student, what is your biggest challenge? What is the most difficult subject for you? ASKS | SEE PAGE 10
10 Publizr Home