Orchestra: Andrew Lester
Viola, First Chair District Orchestra, Division I Rating at Regionals in Small Ensemble
Question: How did you first get involved in orchestra?
Answer: “I’m pretty sure one of the high schools came to my elementary school, and I was like, ‘Hey, that’s pretty cool. I can play that.’”
Q: When was your first performance?
A: “I’d say my first solo performance would be my first performance I would consider — so, in seventh or eighth grade when we could have solos for people. Of course, people would get really nervous and all that, but that’s to be expected whether you’re speaking or playing or things like that.”
Q: What’s your favorite aspect of orchestra?
A: “Practicing and playing performances not necessarily sponsored by the school.”
Q: Has there ever been a time you wanted to quit?
A: “No, I’ve always known music would be a part of my life.”
Q: How will you apply playing music in your future?
A: “I plan to major in music in college. I think it would be really cool if I could be a professor at a university teaching instrumental music with an emphasis on viola.”
Q: How has music influenced your life?
A: “Probably in any way imaginable. It’s probably not true for everyone, but at least for me, I’ve always enjoyed music a lot. I’ve been able to use it whenever I want. If I feel upset or something, instead of smashing a wall, I can play music. I think creatively, using it as an extension there, compounding it with drawing and composing. One of the biggest ways is my friend group. Over 70 percent of my closest friends are from the orchestra.”

Forensics: Emma Friedlander
Qualifed for State in Original Oratory and Informative Speaking, Qualified for Catholic Forensics League National Tournament in Original Oratory
Question: How did you first get involved in forensics?
Answer: “My sister did forensics when she was in high school, and she was a couple years older than me, so it was just something I knew I wanted to do. However, when I started, I thought I was going to do acting, like she wanted, but as I explored the events more, I discovered I liked public speaking more.”
Q: What was your first performance?
A: “It wasn’t great, but I learned a lot from that and I’ve gotten a lot better because I’ve had something that didn’t go as well.”
Q: What’s your favorite aspect of forensics?
A: “It’s great to see how people progress over time and, although we may have harder weeks and tournaments that didn’t go as well as we’d like them to, overall, everybody does get better.”
Q: Was there a time when you wanted to quit?
A: “There was never a time when I wanted to quit, but there were times when I, not necessarily gave up, but I got really frustrated, but you just have to get over that and the rest will solve itself.”
Q: How will you use forensics in the future?
A: “Compared to other activities, it has a lot of real-world applications — forensics and debate both do. It teaches you how to write, how to speak publicly, so all those skills are useful. It’s also a team thing. That isn’t as obvious, but it’s a familial thing. It teaches you to support others and that teamwork is necessary.”
Q: How has forensics influenced your life?
A: “I think we really have developed a family from that. It also is a big lesson about how success works. It isn’t linear. You don’t get better every time. You will have disappointments even when you work really hard. Sometimes, things just won’t work out the way you like them to. It has taught me that you have to keep persevering when it’s something you care about.”

Band: Catherine Hapke
Percussion, Honor Band of America, Division I Rating at District
Question: How did you first get involved in band?
Answer: “I first got involved in band because all my siblings did it, and my dad helps out with drum line. So, I started doing percussion. I switched over to that in middle school because I played piano before.”
Q: When was your first performance?
A: “My first real performance in music was in kindergarten or preschool, and I had a piano recital. I remember being really nervous about playing, but as you do it more, you get more comfortable.”
Q: What’s your favorite memory in band?
A: “My favorite memory of band is the last performance at a football game of our last show for marching season. It was a really good performance, and I really enjoy performing with the front line. It’s a good group.”
Q: Was there a time when you wanted to quit?
A: “My freshman year, it was a hard decision. I got into volleyball, and I considered maybe not doing band, but then I ended up quitting volleyball and doing band instead. I really liked the people I got to know in band. In volleyball, it was something I considered more as a hobby, and with band, I could tell it was something I wanted to do for the rest of my life.”
Q: How will you apply music in your future?
A: “I hope to minor in music in college because I want to go into art education, but I really want to demonstrate music is important in schools, and it brings out the best in everyone. It’s really easy for everyone to participate in it and to contribute to the end.”
Q: How has band influenced your life?
A: “It’s taught me that it’s important everybody plays their part to make a bigger picture. It also showed me that if you work really hard at something, you can accomplish anything.”

Theater: Alec Newport
“Elephant’s Graveyard,” “Guys and Dolls,” “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)”
Question: How did you first get involved in acting?
Answer: “I started in sixth grade in the play. I had quit sports a couple years [prior], and it was something to do after school.”
Q: What was your first performance?
A: “I believe it was called ‘Comic Book Artists’ about these artists who had magic pens, and the characters came to life. I met people who I would be acting with for years and people who influenced my acting path.”
Q: What’s your favorite aspect of acting?
A: “I like putting yourself in another person’s mind and learning all the intricacies of another person. Then, you learn more about yourself.”
Q: Was there a time when you wanted to quit?
A: “In middle school, I wasn’t having as much fun as I wanted to with it. A lot of my friends were in it in middle school, so I stuck with it then for that reason. Then in high school, I really got to enjoy it again.”
Q: How will you apply acting in your future?
A: “I hopefully will be in shows in college and in community theatre in the future, but I’m not going to major in it or do it professionally.”
Q: How has acting influenced your life?
A: “It’s given me a place to call home in high school. It’s given me a group of friends who have stuck with me and who have supported me. I have been mentored by [them], and [I have] mentored the younger kids. It’s given me a lot of opportunities to lead and learn from others.”

Choir: Drew Bormann
Division I Ratings at Regionals, “Guys and Dolls”
Question: How did you first get involved in choir?
Answer: “I moved here halfway through last year. I went to a performing arts high school in Michigan, and I did choir there.”
Q: When was your first performance?
A: “My first choir concert was in sixth grade, and my first musical theater performance was my freshman year. It was a lot of fun. I really enjoyed it.”
Q: What’s your favorite aspect of choir?
A: “All the shows I’ve done.”
Q: Was there a time when you wanted to quit?
A: “Now. I’m not continuing on — not for any reasons, just bigger aspirations. I’m hoping to go into medicine.”
Q: How has choir influenced your life?
A: “All my friends are in choir. It helps me musically.”