Courtwarming ’23: Meet The King Candidates

Q&A With Top 13

Humberto Bermudez

Humberto Bermudez, Photo by Grace Winkler

What extracurricular and cocurricular activities are you involved in?

Talon magazine, Falcon Philharmonia and Scholar Bowl.

Is there a person you know in real life who inspires you? Why?

My Mom. She believes that I can do anything, and she inspires me to do better.

What is one thing you’d tell your freshman self?

You smell that? It smells like updog!

What is the best thing you’ve checked off your bucket list?

Meeting Kylo Ren.

What are your plans after graduating high school?

Going to some college.

What is your best high school memory so far?

Being able to go on two national journalism trips.

John “JC” DeFeo

What extracurricular and cocurricular activities are you involved in?

JC DeFeo, Photo by Grace Winkler

Football 4 years, Baseball 4 years, Basketball 2 years ,NHS 2 years, StuCo 4 years.

Is there a person you know in real life who inspires you? Why?

My Dad, because he has made me the man I am today and he has always been very supportive in everything I do.

What is one thing you’d tell your freshman self?

Don’t take anything for granted.

What is the best thing you’ve checked off your bucket list?

Going to Nashville.

What are your plans after graduating high school?

Attend a 4 year college and study Pre Med.

What is your best high school memory so far?

The homecoming game and homecoming this year.

Kayden Fish

What extracurricular and cocurricular activities are you involved in?

Kayden Fish, Photo by Grace Winkler

Basketball

Is there a person you know in real life who inspires you? Why?

My mom. With as busy as she is, she always finds a way to put others needs ahead of hers.

What is one thing you’d tell your freshman self?

High school really does go by fast.

What is the best thing you’ve checked off your bucket list?

Reaching 1,000 points scored in basketball.

What are your plans after graduating high school?

To play basketball at Iowa State University and major in sports medicine.

What is your best high school memory so far?

The entire experience.

Kyran Fish

What extracurricular and cocurricular activities are you involved in?

Kyran Fish, Photo by Grace Winkler

Cheer and Student Council.

Is there a person you know in real life who inspires you? Why?

My mom inspires me because she works hard and pushes herself, and I just want to be like her when I grow up.

What is one thing you’d tell your freshman self?

Make sure to have fun and join many activities.

What is the best thing you’ve checked off your bucket list?

Being a student council officer.

What are your plans after graduating high school?

Attend Iowa State University to major in Psychology.

What is your best high school memory so far?

My junior year because I went on field trips a lot.

 

Alpha Jalloh

What extracurricular and cocurricular activities are you involved in?

Alpha Jalloh, Photo by Grace Winkler

Soccer, Science Olympiad, Scholar bowl.

Is there a person you know in real life who inspires you? Why?

Alex Tran.

What is one thing you’d tell your freshman self?

Stay consistent with whatever you are doing because you’ll eventually see results.

What is the best thing you’ve checked off your bucket list?

I can hip thrust more than 500lb.

What are your plans after graduating high school?

I plan to attend UMKC and go through their 6 year medical school program.

What is your best high school memory so far?

Soccer bus rides homes after away games.

 

Alejandro Lopez

What extracurricular and cocurricular activities are you involved in?

Alejandro Lopez, Photo by Grace Winkler

Theater and Choir.

Is there a person you know in real life who inspires you? Why?

My Dad. He inspires me every day to keep doing what I love and put my all into everything I do.

What is one thing you’d tell your freshman self?

Get ready! Unexpected things are about to happen!

What is the best thing you’ve checked off your bucket list?

Sing “Never Gonna Give You Up,” during karaoke.

What are your plans after graduating high school?

Pursue a career in acting.

What is your best high school memory so far?

Performing in every theater production.

Spenser Nash

What extracurricular and cocurricular activities are you involved in?

Spenser Nash, Photo by Grace Winkler

Scholar Bowl and Orchestra.

Is there a person you know in real life who inspires you? Why?

Jayden Rivas. He is one of my best friends, and he inspires me to always be better.

What is one thing you’d tell your freshman self?

Don’t panic!

What is the best thing you’ve checked off your bucket list?

Been in a circle mosh pit.

What are your plans after graduating high school?

Go to college at S&T and become a nuclear engineer or screenplay writer.

What is your best high school memory so far?

Senior Homecoming football game and the bonfire I had with my friends after it.

 

Thai Nguyen

What extracurricular and cocurricular activities are you involved in?

Thai Nguyen, Photo by Grace Winkler

Football 4 years, StuCo 2 years, NHS 2 years.

Is there a person you know in real life who inspires you? Why?

My Mom. She keeps me on track and helps me out with anything when I need it.

What is one thing you’d tell your freshman self?

Your grades do matter, but don’t overthink it.

What is the best thing you’ve checked off your bucket list?

Got to fly a plane.

What are your plans after graduating high school?

Go to college and try to be a pilot at University of Central Missouri.

What is your best high school memory so far?

Playing my first varsity football game and getting a pick 6.

 

Larry Parker III

What extracurricular and cocurricular activities are you involved in?

Larry Parker, Photo by Grace Winkler

Basketball, Theater, NHS, StuCo

Is there a person you know in real life who inspires you? Why?

My parents because regardless of the situation they do not run away from the challenge.

What is one thing you’d tell your freshman self?

Go out and try things.

What are your plans after graduating high school?

Play basketball in college, further down the road apply to medical school.

What is your best high school memory so far?

Going to Bass Pro and State with my teammates.

John Tarpley

What extracurricular and cocurricular activities are you involved in?

John Tarpley, Photo by Grace Winkler

Varsity Boys Tennis, Staley Robotics, Science Olympiad, Scholar Bowl, NHS and Beta Club.

Is there a person you know in real life who inspires you? Why?

Heath Martsching is a great inspiration. He is a lively person with a great attitude toward most things throughout the day, and he knows how to make everyone in the room smile.

What is one thing you’d tell your freshman self?

To never be afraid of being outgoing, and always be yourself. I would also assure him to stick with all the clubs he’s in, as being an active participant in five clubs is extremely hard.

What is the best thing you’ve checked off your bucket list?

Hit the Griddy on the haters…and won.

What are your plans after graduating high school?

I plan on going to either Purdue, Texas A&M or University of Florida to Major in Aerospace Engineering.

John Vavak

What extracurricular and cocurricular activities are you involved in?

John Vavak, Photo by Grace Winkler

Baseball 4 years, Football 2 years, STUCO 4 years, Leadership 2 years, Nest leader 1 year, Musical 2 years.

Is there a person you know in real life who inspires you? Why?

My mom because she works for everything she’s done in her life, and she provides so much for me and my family.

What is one thing you’d tell your freshman self?

Treat everyone with respect.

What is the best thing you’ve checked off your bucket list?

Going to a Chiefs playoff game.

What are your plans after graduating high school?

Join the firefighting academy in hopes to one day become a firefighter.

What is your best high school memory so far?

Homecoming night was just really fun. I enjoyed having fun with friends.

Timmy Tai Vo

What extracurricular and cocurricular activities are you involved in?

Timmy Tai Vo, Photo by Grace Winkler

Football for two years.

Is there a person you know in real life who inspires you? Why?

My oldest brother Jimmy. He’s been my role model and raised me growing up since my parents worked long shifts.

What is one thing you’d tell your freshman self?

Have fun, but get what needs to be done first.

What is the best thing you’ve checked off your bucket list?

Lettering in football as a freshman.

What are your plans after graduating high school?

Going to the police academy to become a policeman.

What is your best high school memory so far?

Senior year homecoming with my best friends and escorting the homecoming queen.

 

Heath Martsching

Heath Martsching, Photo by Grace Winkler

What extracurricular and cocurricular activities are you involved in?

Jazz, Orchestra, Soccer, Pep Band, NHS.

Is there a person you know in real life who inspires you? Why?

Alex Bermudez

What is one thing you’d tell your freshman self?

Embrace this school and its opportunities so you can have fun being yourself.

What is the best thing you’ve checked off your bucket list?

Played and sang at a live venue.

What are your plans after graduating high school?

I am going to pursue commercial music and multimedia journalism.