The Railsplitter Review...

Railsplitter Interviewer: Who is your role model and why?

Aymin Khalil: My Dad is my role model because he overcame so much. He came from nothing and always had horrible grades in school. After he eventually dropped out of college, he turned his life around in a great way by working hard and taking no days off of work.

Devin Pena: My role models are my parents. My mom and dad have worked so hard to get us where we are and I’ve learned so much from them. My parents are really hard workers and don’t give up on anything. Everything that has shaped me as a person were things I learned from my parents.

Jose Ramirez: My father and mother are my role models. My Father is a hard worker; he immigrated from Mexico and has been fighting 25+ years to become a citizen (still fighting). He has shown me how much he accomplished being a hard, dedicated worker and get to where he is now even while being on the verge of being sent back home at anytime at any moment. My father is the reason why I don’t fear because even though things can go south he does not let it get in his way. I’ve only see my father cry once and that’s when my grandpa passed away. It was only two tears but I know he was in pain because he couldn’t do anything about it. My Dad was in the US and his dad was over there. My dad told me, “Don’t take anything for granted because one day your mother and I are not going to be here so just spend the time you have now to fulfill everything. That way you won't have one reason to blame yourself why you weren’t there.” I’m just like my father; I don’t cry. I just put it aside but this did touch me. My mother raised six kids while my father was always working; she’s gone through a lot of things at such a young age but she always seems to pick herself back up. This gives me the reason to keep going.

Kenyon Taylor: My parents are my role models. I chose them because they have always inspired me to reach whatever goals I set. They helped me get to where I'm at today so I can better myself!

Nick West: My dad is my role model because of how hard working he is. He has inspired me to never give up and to keep working at my goals.

Aylin Amaro: My role model is not one but two inspirational women in my life. The one who has always kept me going is my mother. She has taught me to stand my ground when life gets tough, to work hard to achieve my goals, and to keep pursuing the things that are significant in my life. Lastly, after seeing my oldest sister graduate from Brigham Young University, it taught me that I too can become independent, self-reliant, and can push myself to work hard. She also taught me by example that nothing in life is permanent and to stay humble.

Karrington Gordon: My role model is Kyrie Irving. He’s my role model because I love basketball and I love how he plays on the court. Even off the court he has the biggest heart.

Abby Martinez: My grandpa is my role model because is very wise and big hearted. No matter the question, he always has an answer. He also has a way of seeing different perspectives, which he talks about and teaches to everyone around him, putting us in a correct mindset. He is always thinking about everyone no matter the time or place. He never seems to judge anyone before knowing the full story which is something I look up to and try to do as well.

Sydney O'Hare: My role model is my Dad. My Dad is one of my biggest supporters; he is the reason I have worked so hard to be where I am and continue to work hard. He is a huge influence in my life. Not only that -- he has always been there for me through it all. Whether it be the Dad that lugs around drum equipment for the marching band, the Dad that tells me the cheesiest dad-jokes when I’m sad, or the Dad that takes me skateboarding when I am freaking out over a class or upcoming test, he's the best. He has always been the hardest worker, funniest comedian, and kindest person.

Anastasia Rizzo: My role model is my mom. She has always worked hard to make sure that I could succeed in life. She always puts everyone else first and my goal is to make her proud.

Makayka Sherwood: My role model in life would be my mother. She does everything she can to support me and my sister in what we decide to do. She does whatever she can to make sure we have what we need.

Railsplitter Interviewer: What is your most memorable moment at Lincoln Park High School?

Nick West: My most memorable moment at LPHS is winning the orange and blue classic my junior year. Anyone that was there will remember my buzzer beater reversal to win the finals match in triple over time! (2 seconds left on the clock!)

Jose Ramirez: The football games -- it always felt so alive; the emotions you get going to a homecoming game or a highly anticipated game -- it’s wild. *Especially when our team gets a touchdown the bleachers are rumbling! I won’t forget that.

Kenyon Taylor: One memorable moment was when I made 1 singles in tennis. It's very memorable because it took me 4 years to get to that position.

Devin Pena: My favorite high school moment was getting all 3 medals and earning a spot to DECA state competition my first year of DECA!

Aymin Khalil: Going out with friends after practice or one of our many swim meets because those are always fun!

Makayla Sherwood: My most memorable moment in high school would have to be doing the plays and musicals! The best part of those were the rehearsals; you got to meet the other students and create bonds with them.

Anastasia Rizzo: Marching across the field with my close friends by my side.

Abby Martinez: My first day in the high school has to be the most memorable and important. I remember how nervous I was. I had no clue what was to come or who I would become. Even though it may have seemed like a normal day to many, it was the begging of finding who I am today.

Sydney O'Hare: I have created many memorable moments at LPHS from playing with the marching band, to volunteering at NHS, and being in so many fun plays and musicals with the drama club. My most memorable moment would have to be volunteering for Goodfellows with the Student Council. Raising money to give children a wonderful Christmas meant the world to me and it was so awesome being able to do it with the people I love.

Karrington Gordon: My memorable moment at Lincoln Park High School is my current senior year. Why? Because this year has been very different because COVID-19 took over. It’s very sad that Class of 2021 had to start and probably end this way, but that can’t stop certains thing for us such as living for ourselves before we go into adulthood.

Aylin Amaro: My most memorable moment in LPHS was when I ran out of line in a soccer game to give my sister a poster for her senior night!

Railsplitter Interviewer: How do you feel about graduating and leaving LPHS? What are you going to miss?

Kenyon Taylor: I will be sad but also I will be happy at the same time. I will miss all the sports, activities, students, and teachers I've met in school. I will be happy because it will be a time to move to the future and see where the future will take me. I'm very excited to find out!

Aymin Khalil: I feel a bit sad graduating LPHS because of all of the memories I've had here. I always felt like I was accepted here by anyone I would talk to. I'm going to have to move on from these amazing four years of my life but I'm glad I'm able to finish my year off.

Nick West: Realizing this is my senior year is hard to go through. I’ve spent hours here, creating friends and memories along the way. LPHS has definitely been my second home over the last four years.

Jose Ramirez: I guess I’m going to miss friends that I have in school now. Things are not going to be the same after I graduate so I’m trying to enjoy it as much as I can.

Devin Pena: I’m excited to see what the future holds for me but I have a feeling I’m going to miss a lot of things, most importantly my friends and peers but also the amazing teachers this school has to offer.

Karrington Gordon: I honestly can’t wait until I graduate and go to college. I know I will look back and say., “Wow, I thought high school was hard.” I’m going to miss everything about this school; I’ve got so many memories I could write a whole story from freshman year till now.

Abby Martinez: Graduating this year has not hit me yet; it still feels like I just entered high school. Graduation does scare me a bit just because I don’t know what’s to come but I am also excited. Even though I will miss high school, I’m ready to start my journey in adult life.

Sydney O'Hare: Leaving and graduating LPHS is going to be both surreal and bittersweet. These last few years have been the biggest part of my journey through self-love and growth. I have created so many friendships I hope to keep, and developed so much appreciation and love for the simplest of things. I will miss playing at football games with the marching band the most. Constantly making people smile and dance while having fun with all the other students at the football games is something I will cherish.

Aylin Amaro: I'm not all that thrilled to leave LPHS just yet; I want to make the most of what is left. I am most definitely going to miss all of the big social gatherings the school would host.

Makayla Sherwood: I feel excited to graduate but also sad at the same time. Out of all the things I’m going to miss I think I am going to miss the people most. We all are different but we all have something in common. It’s that we are all Railsplitters --that’s something we will hold as a bond for the rest of our lives.

Anastasia Rizzo: I feel sad and kinda scared for what's in store for the real world. I'm going to miss seeing my friends every single day, oh and the pasta every Wednesday!

Railsplitter Interviewer: What are your plans for the future? Which college or post-secondary plan, if any, do you have for yourself?

Devin Pena: I plan on going to U of M to get a degree in International business and marketing

Jose Ramirez: I plan to move to Washington. I want to enter the trades while attending community college. After that, I will transfer my credits to a university to were I'll finish a degree in nursing. I will also open up a Roth IRA to assure I'm a millionaire by 65 -- what will also help me is to rent out houses so I have multiple incomes at once. It’s a plan and I’ll get there.

Aymin Khalil: I want to finish off the dual-enrollment program first, and then go to a university or college for four years and start a business after I graduate college.

Nick West: I plan on going to school on a wrestling based scholarship. I’ll be there to study business administration and win a national title!

Kenyon Taylor: I want to go to college to become an animator/video game maker or become a tennis player. I plan to go to college fall 2021.

Anastasia Rizzo: After high school I plan on finishing the early middle college program and getting my associates degree, then going to either Wayne State or Eastern to study sports medicine.

Makayla Sherwood: My plan for the future is to become a firefighter/ paramedic. Once I graduate I’m going to stay with the WCCCD program for a year and start taking basic classes I need for training.

Karrington Gordon: My plan for the future is to go to a university or start at a D2 school for 2 years then transfer to a university. I am undecided about what I want to study at the moment but I for sure want to play basketball with a great team.

Abby Martinez: I plan on going to school to become a zoologist. I want to work with animals and travel the world. I want to study why they do things and what we can do to prevent extinction.

Sydney O'Hare: After high school, I plan to go to college to pursue Engineering or Animation. My dream school on my list right now is to go to the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Nothing is completely definitive, but it is nice to dream! I wish to continue to make others happy in some way, as well as bring joy to myself.

Aylin Amaro: I don't necessarily have my whole future planned out. I do hope to become a pediatrician someday. I intend to finish up community college and transfer the rest of my credits to a University. My goal is to try to make it into medical school one day.

Railsplitter Interviewer: Which teacher has meant the most or had the largest impact on you?

Jose Ramirez: Mrs. Banyai because she always was there for me. She helped me a lot and it feels like it was yesterday that she told me “High school is going to go fast.” It sure did. Also Mrs. Moussa because she made me realize the future will be here quick and there are times to laugh and times to be serious. She was also there for me -- strict at times but a good teacher at all times.

Nick West: I’ve had a lot of great relationships with teachers, but my favorite and most memorable has to be Mr. Celsi. Mr. Celsi is a very good and kind-hearted person. He cares about his students and is understanding about their personal lives. Outside of the classroom, Mr. Celsi and I share many things in common such as weight lifting, sports, and we loved discussing currents events. He was also my coach. He helped me in shot put and discus and we really connected. He was my very first teacher in high school -- freshman year 1st hour and I still remember the day; it sure did fly by.

Devin Pena: Ms. Pawlak. She had the biggest impact on me because she saw the person I could be if I put the effort into my school work. She pushed me to do my best and never let me do anything less of it. She is what truly shaped me into the student I am today.

Kenyon Taylor: I'm unsure, there are lots of teachers that impacted me.

Aymin Khalil: Mr. Sherwin -- I've been his student for all 4 years of high school and he's helped me out with everything. He is more than just a band teacher, he is friend. He is there for all of his students through thick and thin.

Abby Martinez: Sergeant Major had a big impact on me because he never judges and he is sweet to everyone.

Karrington Gordon: Mrs. Howell had the largest impact on me. Mrs. Howell has been on my side since my freshman year. She pushed me every year to be better including late nights and early mornings -- working in the classroom and on the court. She takes the time out of her day to help me with certain things and I know a lot of people do not have that support so I am very thankful for Mrs. Howell. She deserves the world.

Sydney O'Hare: The teacher that had the largest impact on me was Mr. Johnson, my fourth grade teacher at Carr Elementary. Mr. Johnson encouraged my creativity, self-love, and goofiness. He is a big part of who I am today and has always been someone who inspires me to constantly keep going, especially in art and music.

Makayla Sherwood: The one teacher that had one of the biggest impacts on my life and made me who I am today would have to be Ms. Holly Knick. She has been very helpful throughout my high school experience. I wasn’t very confident but joining the club definitely gave me the confidence to do whatever it is I want.

Aylin Amaro: Mrs. Banyai! She was always so encouraging and filled with so much joy I never really dreaded going to her class. She was such an uplifting teacher who I feel like has shaped me into a better person.

Anastasia Rizzo: Miss. Pawlak! She has always pushed me to never settle for nothing but my best.