School's Out - Senior Profiles 2002

Name: Nathan L.

School: St. Anthony Village High School

Activities: Concerts, tennis, soccer, school club stuff (Yearbook, National Honor Society, other geeky clubs.), concerts, volunteering with kids at church, tutoring elementary kids, concerts (sensing a theme here?).

Favorite TV Show: I don't watch much TV anymore because I don't have the time and most of it is stupid mind-puke anyways. If I had to choose, it would be either The Practice or The Pretender (don't know if this is still on though).

Favorite Movie: Cool Runnings. Yeah, mon!

Favorite Music Artist: So many, I could fill up the whole page. Here be go… MxPx, Reliant K, Skillet, Pillar, Justified, Hangnail, Ace Troubleshooter, Bleach, Caedmons Call, Five Iron Frenzy, Jake, Plus One, Element 101, Stretch Arm Strong.

School Next Year: Wheaton College

Biggest Accomplishment in HS: Getting through it maybe? Academically, it would either be receiving the Harvard College Award Book as a junior or being accepted into Northwestern University. Actually, none of that really matters anymore, so I guess what I really am proud of is all of the awesome people that I have been able to meet. School really isn't too important when you really think about it (but that doesn't mean you shouldn't try…) because there are things in life more important than academics. People won't remember how you did in some class; they will remember how you treated them how you made them feel. Hopefully I had a lasting effect on someone during high school: I would be proud of that.

Most Important Thing Learned in HS: I've pretty much forgotten all of the facts and information I “learned” in high school already…and the most important thing I learned is that I can't do things on my own. Life (and high school) can really suck if you don't have someone to go through it with you. There were times during the last four years when I never thought I would ever be able to make it through. Final exams, girl problems, monster projects, girl problems, tension at home, girl problems, stress in general all seemed to get in between me and my happiness. But I have made it through. I have relied on family who care about me and friends who really understand me. Most of all, though, I have relied on Jesus. When my family is too busy and when all of my friends have forgotten me, Jesus has always been right by my side. To me, He has been the ultimate friend—- one who loves me for all my screw ups, one who has been through all of the problems that I am going through, and one who will never let me down. Jesus and I have been through a whole boatload of crap together. I now have nothing to fear. I can do anything with His help

Favorite Memories in HS: There are many—high school has been fun. The Peak 3 trip to Colorado with my youth group was one of the highlights; we all became really close on that trip. Also, going to Yale University last July/August for a summer program was unforgettable. I met so many awesome people, made great friends, and took away lasting memories (not to mention four rolls of film). Going to Sonshine 2001 probably tops this list though. I'm still a music freak.

Have You Had The Same Friends All Four Years: No, no, and no. I have changed friends a number of times during high school. Why? First of all, friends change, and that's just life. It's tough, but you deal with it. Second, some friends get into drugs, alcohol, etc., and that's just not cool. Sucking chemicals (other than sugar and caffeine) into my body is not my thing. It hurts because it's really hard to be friends with my chem.-sucking buddies because we don't have much in common anymore—- all they can think about or talk about is the drug or drink. I've seen so many of my friends get totally messed up by those things…and I really don't see the benefit. Sure, drugs make you feel good, and sure, they are fun. But the negative effects outweigh the positive ones by a lot: it's just not worth it. Aside from this whole chem.-sucking thing, I have met some really great new friends. I used to be really close-minded about who was cool” enough to be my friend, but now that has totally changed. I really try to be a good friend to everyone, regardless of how they look, dress, act, whatever. As a result, I have met some of the most interesting, cool people in the world. So don't be scared of stepping out of your comfort zone. Dare to meet new people, and you will understand what I'm talking about.

Advice To Underclassmen: Drink plenty of liquids, use caffeine frequently but not excessively, listen to punk rock, remember that ska is dead—but still listen to it, sleep in (but not on Sundays), read lots, shut your stinkin' mouth when you chew gum, don't be afraid to poop in school (unless your stalls don't have doors like at my school), please wash your hands, study for your ACT and SAT, sit with someone you don't know at lunch, challenge yourself, pick up soccer or tennis, and make the most of high school while you still can. Oh yeah, and seek after Jesus because with Him you can take on anything.

Goals For The Future: Go to Wheaton College, drop out after a year to start up an internet company, make millions selling guinea pigs, buy Yale University and rename it “Nathan-could-have-come-here University,” play soccer for Manchester United, become a shrimp boat captain in the Caribbean with some dude named Captain Dan, live in Taiwan, become #1 on the men's pro tennis tour, hit Pete Sampras with a bowling ball for getting soft and marrying that model, become a fashion designer for some skateboard company, and retire in Malaysia.