THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – Friday, August 30, 2019 Page 15 ASKS | FROM PAGE 1 Editor’s Note: For this week’s interview, we sat down with Kiley Ronan, perhaps the best-known and most influential member of this year’s senior class at Saugus High School. She has been president of the Class of 2020 during all four years. Among numerous scholastic honors, she won the Boston College Book Award last year. Besides being a National Honor Society member and a top-20 student in her class with a 4.1 grade point average, she is also a leader among student athletes – captain in all three sports she competes in: soccer, basketball and track. She’s been captain of the track team since her sophomore year. Kiley, 17, is the daughter of Shane and Lisa Ronan. She has three brothers: Brendan Ronan, Colin Ronan and Nick Antenucci. Brendan is a 2017 Saugus High School graduate. Highlights of this week’s interview follow. Q: So, please tell me what it feels like for you. You are going to be the president of the last student class to graduate from the current Saugus High School building when the Class of 2020 graduates next spring. What’s that going to mean for you? A: Honestly, I’m going to be really excited about that. I just think it’s nice to be able to leave a legacy behind us, especially for all of the classes that follow us. It’s going to be nice to be able to be the last one. I’m proud to be a Sachem. Q: Is there a lot of talk about that among classmates? A: Yes, kind of. We weren’t sure whether we were going to be the first to graduate from the new school or the last from this school, but either way, we’re excited to be something. Q: Please tell me, what are your plans for this year? And what are your expectations for this class? A: So far we’re just looking ahead to Founders Day (Saturday, Sept. 7). That will be a big fund-raiser to get our prom paid off. We want to get everyone involved. Q: Any special projects for this class? A: Right now we just have a bunch of booths set up for Founders Day. But we might do a Comedy Night at Giggles for a class fundraiser. We are also looking at some car washes. We’re just starting small for now. Q: Now, you have been class president all four years. A: Yes. Q: So you are a pretty popular student. A: You could say popular, but I don’t know. Q: But you have a nice blend of talents – scholastic as well as athletic. A: Yes, that was, like, my first thing: academics and athletics. And coming into high school, I want to do when you graduate? A: Yeah, I would say it’s a little too early, because I just started touring colleges and I’m still debating which sport and things like that, but I’m definitely looking into it. Q: Do you have a career objective in mind? A: Yes. I want to major in athletic training and then go to grad school for physical therapy. Q: What would be your topfive schools at this point if you had a choice right now? A: So far, it would be Holy A SCHOLAR IN HER CLASS: Saugus High School Senior Kiley Ronan is a National Honor Society member who ranks among the top-20 students in her class with a 4.1 grade point average. got wrapped up with the class boards, and I’m glad I did. So, I get to lead my class. Q: You must have a pretty busy schedule. A: Oh yeah, definitely. Q: So, at this point in your high school career, what are you most proud of A: As far as most proud of, it would definitely be being class president for all four years. Just because I’m so proud to be a part of Saugus High and graduate from Saugus High, and I love my class so much that it’s nice to be able to present them and lead them. Q: And you are also captain of three sports. Is that right? A: Yes. Q: So, that’s a pretty big deal? A: Yeah. It is. Q: What’s your favorite of the three sports? A: Ooh. I don’t want to upset any coaches, but I’m definitely a big soccer fan. And right now, that’s what I’m doing, so I guess we’ll say soccer. Q: Why is it your favorite sport? Is that the sport you are the best in? A: I just think it’s a great group of girls, and it’s during the fall time when we’re just getting school started. It’s a great way to start the year. Q: Is it going to be a good team this year? A: Yeah. I’m looking forward to it. Q: Now, of the three sports is soccer your best sport? A: I wouldn’t say it’s my best sport – just one that I really enjoy. Q: So, what is your best sport? A: I would probably argue that it’s track. Q: And what are the events you compete in? A: The 200 [yard run], the long jump and the triple jump. Q: At this point, is it too early to decide on what college you want to go to and what you Cross, UConn, UMass Amherst, BC. That’s four. Those would be my top four – my favorites right now. Q: And as far as when you graduate, your chosen career … A: I’m definitely looking into being a physical therapist. Q: So are you deeply rooted in Saugus? Or are you open to living anywhere? A: I’m open to anywhere, but I really do like Saugus. I love the town. Q: How many generations in Saugus does your family go back? A: My mom and dad didn’t grow up in Saugus, but I’ve been here my whole life. Hopefully, future generations of my family will be here. Q: Looking at your class and your peers, what are the big social issues you look toward? A: Our class, like, issues we’re worried about? Q: Things that students are concerned about. With this being an election year for the town and next year being a presidential election year, some of your classmates are going to be voting. A: Yeah, but I don’t know if anyone is too concerned about that yet; I’m not sure if anybody is looking into the future that much. Q: Well, what are kids in you peer group talking about? What are the common concerns of students in your class? A: Honestly, I think we’re all concerned about this new schedule! I know it’s not the biggest issue, but it’s just something – we’re supposed to be seniors, and it’s something new to us. It might be hard to adapt to. Q: So, how does that work? There’s going to be five 68-minute classes, or something like that? A: Yeah, a little more than an hour classes, and then the lunch break is something different. It’s just hard. As seniors, we’re supposed to know where everything is, but we’re learning just like the freshmen are. Q: And last year’s schedule? A: It was completely different. Last year we would have seven classes, like, three days of the week. And then we would have long blocks the other two days, so this one is definitely different. Q: So, what’s the biggest challenge for you? A: Being a class president? Q: Yeah. A: Honestly, I would just say it’s trying to please everybody, because no matter what you do or how you plan the prom or the T-shirt you pick out … not everybody is going to like it. And it’s hard for me, because I want to please everybody. It’s hard to hear the complaints and just, like, knowing that not everybody is happy, but I do my best. Q: Have you started hearing the complaints this year yet? A: There’s always a few here and there, but nothing I can’t handle. Q: So, what do you think is going to be the thing that defines this senior class besides being the last one to graduate J& • Reliable Mowing Service • Spring & Fall Cleanups • Mulch & Edging • Sod or Seed Lawns • Shrub Planting & Trimming • Water & Sewer Repairs Joe Pierotti, Jr. from the current Saugus High School? A: Honestly, we are a tight-knit group of kids, so I think it’s going to be hard for us to graduate and split up, because most of us have been together since elementary school. Saugus is such a close town and most of us didn’t go to private schools. I just think that us being together for so long is, like, what would define us. Q: Do you have any hobbies that fit into your busy schedule? A: I did have hobbies before coming into high school, but I kind of just have to prioritize. Some of them didn’t make it. I do love to dance. Q: What kind of dancing? A: Hip-hop. Q: Are you involved with music? Do you play any instruments? A: Nope. I never got into that. Q: What about volunteerism? A: I do most of my volunteering with NHS [National Honor Society]. Q: What’s the big thing this year? A: We haven’t talked about it, really, but last year we did the Relay For Life, which was a big fundraiser. Q: It’s like an all-nighter, raising money for cancer. A: Oh yeah. It’s very fun, though, and nice knowing that you can raise so much money for a good cause. Q: Anything else that you would like to share about you, this class, your hopes and dreams? A: I’m just excited to see how senior year goes and, hopefully, it’s a smooth year, with everybody getting along and graduating together. And just leaving behind a good name, especially since we’ll be the last ones graduating from this building. S LANDSCAPE & MASONRY CO. Masonry - Asphalt • Brick or Block Steps • Brick or Block Walls • Concrete or Brick Paver Patios & Walkways • Brick Re-Pointing • Asphalt Paving www.JandSlandscape-masonry.com • Senior Discount • Free Estimates • Licensed & Insured 617-389-1490 Designing and Constructing Ideas that are “Grounds for Success” Landscaping
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