Saturday, June 28, 2003
What did you talk about in your valedictory speech?
I made it very unconventional. I thanked my parents and family real quick. I just went into a list of nine things I wanted to get off my chest. There's one on the war, then there are a few about, I'm big on diversity and respecting other people's differences. I'm a big fan of sandwiches, so I threw in a thought about sandwiches, then Ohio State about repeating our championship, and stuff like that, all my little philosophical views.
What was your favorite high school memory?
The most vivid memory would be after the Fitch-Boardman game this year; playing football, it was so neat. It's our big rivalry. Having all the students rush the field; it was kind of cool to see. It was kind of like a whole culmination, everybody was there, not just the jocks and everything. Everyone ran on the field and had a good time.
You played safety?
Yeah, but I'm not really the varsity star. I was always the kid out there who went out for all the scout teams, and tried to give it my best. I love sports but I'm not that athletically inclined, you could say. I played special teams all this year.
What do you think about your experience at Fitch?
I loved it. I know we're in Austintown, Ohio, so it's not the most diverse culture in the world, but compared to what I came from, I absolutely loved it because you actually see different types of people, and I think I got to know people from like each different group. They really blended real well at Fitch, that's another thing. ... I think my favorite thing was hearing what other people had to say from different groups.
On the outside they all look different, but on the inside, we're all just kids. I always read Martin Luther King and Gandhi and everything. It sounded all nice, but I never really got a good experience with it with Catholic school. Going to a public school, I think it just opens up the door. It gives you a little glimpse into the world and what it's really like.
Why choose Ohio State?
My dad went there, and if you look at my room, it's all Ohio State, so that's why people first think I wanted to go there. I was always a Buckeye. I carry around a buckeye in my pocket. It's good luck from the national championship.
I was really looking to move away for college. My [second choice] was the University of Washington out in Seattle. I was all set, I had my bags packed, I was ready to go. But, ... Ohio State gave me a lot better offer than Washington, and I figure it was almost the same exact level of school, academically. The people there are just great. I really fell in love with it again.
I wasn't basing it on being a Buckeye my whole life. I just really like the university and all the people there. So I figure, why waste all that money and just throw away what they're giving me. If I go to grad school, my parents said I could go out West then.
Your major will be aeronautical engineering, correct?
Things are in the air right now. Everyone's telling me that I don't seem like the engineering type. I'll probably be going, not necessarily into politics, but probably international affairs. The whole U.N. thing and world events, I think I'm too caught up in that to be an engineer. I'm hoping college will open up a lot of doors for me.
It seems like you have a very busy schedule. Do you ever take time to just sit and watch TV?
I'm really lazy, if you got to know me. I love sports, so I could watch sports all day. I'm big on the Food Network. Anything with food would be good with me. I'm big into movies and music.
What do you like about sandwiches?
Anything. I think that's the great thing about sandwiches, because they're so diverse. You can have a sandwich for breakfast, you can have a sandwich for dessert, you can't stop. It's limitless.
Do you have a favorite type of sandwich?
No, I don't. There's just so many. I was always into the club sandwiches when I was little. I would go to my uncle's country club and I'd just get the club. They'd all be having their filet mignons. Just give me my club, and I'd be happy. I think I've spread my wings a little bit in the sandwich world. I'll try anything you give me and I'll always like it.