Ciaran and Rainer Senior Spotlight

Are you guys dating?

Rainer: No

Ciaran: Yes

How did you two meet?

Rainer: We met in the summer of 2019 before 7th grade at PCR Learn to Row, but that was more like a free trial because I didn’t know his name and didn’t see him again until freshman year. We both rowed at PCR at the beginning of high school, so we got to know each other through our walks to Lloyd Hall. And ever since, we have been the best of buds.

Ciaran: I knew Rainer for about three days when I got him that bag of Haribo gummy bears for his 12th birthday at camp that summer. When I ran into him again in freshman year, I only vaguely remembered his name, and I gave him a really long handshake. I was trying to beat the world record. Anyway, now he is my bestest friend in the entire world. I used to be a coxswain at PCR, and he’d be my stroke seat. We would only need to look at each other to know what the other was thinking. 

What is your favorite thing about each other?

Rainer: My favorite thing about Ciaran is that he loves unconditionally. He is always happy to see his friends and wants you to know. Anytime he talks to you, he is full of energy and warmth, showing that he really cares about you and what you have to say. I think that is really rare to find in a friend these days and should be cherished.

Ciaran: He’s honest and straightforward. He’ll always give me a real answer, even if it makes me really upset. And we have fought a lot over this sort of thing, but at the end of the day, that’s what I’d rather hear. We also understand each other so well. I feel like I can always be myself around him. Rainer is my twin for real.

What is your favorite memory at Masterman?

Rainer: My favorite memory from Masterman is the junior class picnic to the lake at French Creek. Really any grade trips stick out to me. Getting to spend quality time with my classmates outside of school is so refreshing since we spend most of our time together cooped up in classrooms.

Ciaran: I remember we had this assembly, and it was just juniors and seniors, and somebody on stage made this joke. It doesn’t matter what the joke was or who made the joke, because I don’t even remember. But what I do remember is that nobody in the entire auditorium laughed except for Mr. Zimny, and he did his really loud Family Guy laugh like the Nyeh nyeh nyeh heh. That was so funny. 

Favorite songs?

Rainer: not ranked

1. Float On by Modest Mouse

2. Because You Move Me by Tinlicker

3. Prices by Lil Uzi Vert

Ciaran: I have a top three

1. Weird Fishes/Arpeggi by Radiohead

2. Impossible Germany by Wilco

3. Love Takes Miles by Cameron Winter

Favorite Voices memory?

Ciaran: This isn’t an article, but my favorite video I’ve made, despite how awful it turned out, was The Button. It is genuinely an unbearable watch, but the fun I had directing and planning everything was the best part. Watching the blind dates live was hilarious, and it was such a funny day.

Rainer: I agree with Ciaran on this one. We spent so much time preparing for and planning out The Button, and despite how stressful the actual filming was I look back on it proudly. A lot of people came together to make it work, and it was very exciting to see our idea come to fruition. You should watch it (if it is not censored by the admin anymore).

Favorite video game?

Ciaran: I love Risk of Rain II and Project Zomboid!!!!!!!!!!!!! So easily replayable and so much fun with friends.

Rainer: City Skylines.

For Rainer: 

What do you plan to do with rowing in the future?

I plan to row my whole four years at MIT and then hopefully beyond. As of right now, I have no concrete plans for rowing after college. Of course, I want to row with my brother as we have been a very dynamic duo the past two years. Rowing has been super important to me; it is a defining part of my identity. I plan to row and compete at the highest level I can for as long as I can.

As a consistent and notorious eater, what is your favorite school lunch?

The meatball sub. It is super consistent and always hits the spot. Most other school lunches are too greasy, too dry, or just not enough food. But the sub rarely has one of these issues.

For Ciaran:

You have played a major role in the Masterman music scene with your band, The Kits. Do you plan to continue music in college?

Sort of, yeah. I don’t think I’m going to do anything big with it simply because I don’t think I have the passion to. I still really love music, it's just not something I plan on pursuing other than just casually with friends. I think I’m going to go back to playing the piano. I really hope that BAM continues on when I leave. We were planning all sorts of things with a battle of the bands event or more funding for instruments, but we ran out of time. I hope there's an even bigger music scene that develops at Masterman. 

Favorite class to sleep in?

There is only one right answer to this question, and it’s physics with Mr. Lebold. If you are reading this, I am so sorry, but his room is always the perfect temperature, and his voice is so calming and wow. I think that is the only thing I did in that class.