Central Times http://www.centraltimes.org Naperville Central High School's award-winning newspaper. Wed, 13 Jul 2016 03:34:28 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.6 Gotta Catch’em All: 5 tips for new trainers to Pokemon GO http://www.centraltimes.org/showcase/2016/07/12/gotta-catchem-all-5-tips-for-new-trainers-to-pokemon-go/ http://www.centraltimes.org/showcase/2016/07/12/gotta-catchem-all-5-tips-for-new-trainers-to-pokemon-go/#respond Wed, 13 Jul 2016 03:34:28 +0000 http://www.centraltimes.org/?p=12092

Pokemon Go is one of hottest and most entertaining apps out right now for smart phones, letting everyone’s dream of a real life pokemon adventure come true. For all you youngsters and bug catchers, here are 5 tips for Pokemon Go that me and my friends have picked up on for you trainers in Naperville.


 

 

image 11.   Hold onto your candies and stardust.

This game works a whole lot differently than the handheld games, rather to evolve pokemon you need candies by catching pokemon in the respected evolution line, and to power up “raise their CP” you need stardust. On top of this, your trainer him or herself levels up too. As tempting as it is to use them, hold onto your candies and stardust until your trainer is a higher CP, probably 8 at the least, because pokemon with higher CPs will become easier to find. So saving your candies and stardust is better because then you can use them to level up high CP pokemon rather than wasting them on low ones at the start.

 

image 22.   Actually travel

This seems obvious but it is important, the more you travel, the more likely you are to encounter rare and high cp pokemon. It’s time for you to dust of that bike and running shoes, and crunch down those miles if you want rare pokemon. It’s also important to note pokemon will spawn near things that represent their type more frequently. Such as water near bodies of water and bug in fields.

 

3.   Don’t get to attached to your starter, it’s useless: pidgeys are where it’s at

Since in Pokemon Go you power up and evolve pokemon by catching pokemon in their evolution line, generally rare pokemon are useless unless you find them with a high CP. Since finding other pokemon in their evolution line is going to be tough so you can’t evolve them or power them up easily. This is why starters are useless, unable to be leveled up or evolved easily. So common pokemon like pigdeys and weedles are going to be your best friend as their evolution line is very commonly found.

image 3

 

4.   Visit Downtown Naperville for supplies

There are literally about 40 pokemon stops in downtown along, pokemon stops are what give you supplies for free like, potions, revives and pokeballs. So if you need restock supplies either from taking gyms or catching ‘em all, make sure you visit downtown for restock.
*Also hint, hint there is a great place to catch sythers, which are generally rare pokemon, downtown too.*

 

5.   How to catch a pokemon the right wayimage 4

Alright now it’s time to teach you how to catch a pokemon the right way. First you need to know how to locate them, if you tap on the bottom right of your screen a menu will appear showing how far away certain pokemon are from you, 3 steps on the radar means the pokemon is 50 meters away, 2 steps on the radar means  the pokemon is 500 steps away, 1 step on the radar means the pokemon is 100 steps away, and lastly, 0 steps means the pokemon is within 10 steps of you. The pokemon will then appear on your screen and if you click on it, you’ll be put into a screen that looks like this. If you click on the pokeball, a ring will appear as shown in the left picture. With either a green, a yellow or a red ring getting smaller. The green means an easy catch while yellow means harder with red being the hardest to catch. imag 5If you are able to throw the pokeball inside the ring you will get bonus catch rates.
When the ring is still generally big, you will get a ‘nice’ rating, if it’s smaller than a ‘great’, with the best throw being if you throw it in the ring at its smallest you will get an ‘excellent’ throw and thus have a high chance of catching the pokemon. You can also spin the pokeball by moving it in a circular motion before throwing to receive a curveball bonus; Which will give you extra XP. Also, if you use a razzberry before you capture a pokemon, it will be more likely to be caught.

 

So now you know some tips for Pokemon Go. This game is also so much fun with friends; take this opportunity to run around outside with them and go on adventures. Just remember to be the best like no one ever was.

 

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Brexit: Remain Certain in a time of Uncertainty http://www.centraltimes.org/showcase/2016/06/28/brexit-remain-certain-in-a-time-of-uncertainty/ http://www.centraltimes.org/showcase/2016/06/28/brexit-remain-certain-in-a-time-of-uncertainty/#respond Tue, 28 Jun 2016 14:40:38 +0000 mgazall.ct@gmail.com]]> http://www.centraltimes.org/?p=12085

If you follow any type of financial news you’ve most likely heard the term Brexit for the past couple of months. If you’re the average American, the term Brexit was just introduced to you Friday morning, 23 June. So what is Brexit? In simple terms it is a British exit, or Brexit, meaning that Britain is no longer apart of the European Union.

To make a long story short, a handful of Brits became increasingly sceptical about the benefits of remaining in the EU since the economic meltdown of 2008. Brits voting to leave the EU believe that jobs and trade will thrive after Brexit. They believe that the present regulations are doing damage to the economy and costing small businesses and families a fortune. Being a member of the EU means that the UK cannot make their own trade deals. Immigration problems, border control, money, and a variety of other issues lead a vote to take place whether or not to remain a member of the EU.

The Brexit vote came in favorable and shocked the markets as we witnessed Friday. Global markets have not been this volatile in years with the VIX index (volatility in S&P 500) up nearly 30% in the past couple of days.

The pound hit its lowest level in 30 years, and global markets are bleeding. So what does Brexit mean to the average investor, and what opportunities are left for investors amid indiscriminate selling of global risk assets? Many wonder if now is an ideal time to buy, or if the market is going to crash.

I can see why these are both reasonable questions with the S&P 500 tanking over 3.5% on Friday, however this is not necessarily the case. It will take years for the full effects of Brexit to unfold, and yes, the stock market has taken a bit of a dive, but no one really knows what the ultimate impact will be.

These upcoming weeks and possible months will be tough especially if the Fed decides to raise rates, and we could see a correction from the previous highs in April. There are still plenty of opportunities present to the average investor.

I believe it a good idea to buy into market weakness, that being said you need to be cautious of buying assets that have a fair amount of exposure in Europe. People are worried that this might trigger a domino effect and other countries will leave the EU as well. Who knows, Brexit might be followed by Grexit, Departugal, Italeave, Czechout, Finish, Slovakout, Latervia, Byegium, and only Remania will stay.

Brexit isn’t all that bad of a thing, infact it does present some opportunities for investors such as stocks with relatively attractive valuations and positive fundamentals, such as quality dividend growth stocks and international grade bonds that have all been brought down by the fear of this whole Brexit thing.

Whether or not Brexit might trigger a small crash in the market is tough to determine. Market crashes are nearly impossible to predict, but the best thing to do is not to panic. Refrain from making radical changes to your portfolio based on emotions caused by uncertainty. Any changes you are considering making to your portfolio should be based on thoughtful reflection rather than emotional reaction. As the great Warren Buffett put it, “Be fearful when others are greedy, and greedy when others are fearful.”


 

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Breakthrough Starshot http://www.centraltimes.org/showcase/2016/04/29/breakthrough-starshot/ http://www.centraltimes.org/showcase/2016/04/29/breakthrough-starshot/#respond Fri, 29 Apr 2016 18:31:15 +0000 eware.ct@gmail.com]]> http://www.centraltimes.org/?p=11928

Just a few short weeks ago, the future became a little bit closer with the announcement of Breakthrough Starshot.

Breakthrough Starshot is an effort to reach the closest star system, Alpha Centauri, within a few decades. However, humans are not the ones who will be sent to this system. Nor will it be rockets, robots or rovers. Instead, nano-spacecraft, called “Starchips,” will be sent to our neighbors across the galaxy, and here’s how.

The Starchip, which is the size of a postage stamp, will be connected to an incredibly thin, lightweight sail, and launched into space by a multitude of powerful lasers stationed on Earth. The Starchip will not only include a battery and a camera, but also a communication and navigation system. This way, once the Starchip reaches Alpha Centauri, it can beam back pictures of the system to Earth.

“[We hope to receive] images of a planet (preferably habitable) outside the solar system,” said Avi Loeb, professor at Harvard University and Chair of the Breakthrough Starshot Advisory Committee. “But along the way we might image many other objects of interest, like asteroids or search for the fingerprints of life in the plumes of Enceladus.”

The Alpha Centauri star system is 4.37 light years away, which would take 100 years to reach, going as fast as possible in a normal spacecraft (13,411 km/sec). However, the unique aspect of Breakthrough Starshot is not the Starchip itself, but how long it will take the Starchip to reach Alpha Centauri.

“These ultra lightweight vehicles would end up shooting through [Alpha Centauri] with a velocity of some 20% of the speed of light – a mind boggling 134 million miles per hour,” said Caleb Scharf, Director of Astrobiology at Columbia University, in a Scientific American article. At this rate, Breakthrough Starshot will reach Alpha Centauri in twenty years.

A few risks have posed themselves in light of the plans, and various technologies are yet to be invented. “The biggest risks involve the sail and communication of the images back to Earth from great distances,” said Loeb. The Breakthrough Starshot committee posted the problems on their website for the public to propose possible solutions.

Breakthrough Starshot may seem like an idea of the future, but it is not as far away as thought to be. It is going to be a reality within “2-3 decades,” according to Loeb. Who knows, in the next several decades, Earth could accomplish its long awaited dream: finding life on other worlds.

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Cut loose: ‘Footloose’ takes the stage http://www.centraltimes.org/showcase/2016/04/29/cut-loose-footloose-takes-the-stage/ http://www.centraltimes.org/showcase/2016/04/29/cut-loose-footloose-takes-the-stage/#respond Fri, 29 Apr 2016 16:21:38 +0000 lwang.ct@gmail.com apfaff.ct@gmail.com]]> http://www.centraltimes.org/?p=11917

On April 21, 22, and 23, Central brought the classic musical “Footloose” to its very own stage.

“Footloose” follows Ren McCormack, played by sophomore Luke Laboe, who moves from Chicago to a tiny city called Bomont. Ren loves to dance, but Reverend Moore, played by junior Lars Johnson, has outlawed dancing. Ren’s plight is not helped by the fact that he falls in love with the reverend’s daughter, Ariel, played by junior Emily Ware.

Junior Jordan Gowgiel plays Willard, Ren’s best friend. Gowgiel landed a lead role with no prior experience in musicals.

“My friends have been trying to get me to try out [for a musical] for years, and I finally did it. I even got a lead… I’ve been loving every minute of it.” Gowgiel said.

Senior Maria Kalantzis, who plays the reverend’s wife, echoes Gowgiel’s sentiments.

“I’ve absolutely loved being a part of [“Footloose”], it’s just been so much fun… it’s also a lot of work, but it’s all worth it, we’re like a family” Kalantzis said.

Gowgiel reflects on his favorite part of being a part of the cast of “Footloose”

“The best part about [being in the musical] is the amount of talent, hands down. Every day I’m blown away by the talent [the cast] has. And Mr. Doman, who directs the play, puts his own flair to it,” Gowgiel said.

[See image gallery at www.centraltimes.org]

Photo credit: Alison Pfaff
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Redhawk of the Week: Khaled Khatib http://www.centraltimes.org/showcase/2016/04/25/redhawk-of-the-week-khaled-khatib/ http://www.centraltimes.org/showcase/2016/04/25/redhawk-of-the-week-khaled-khatib/#respond Tue, 26 Apr 2016 01:47:31 +0000 jfkulak.ct@gmail.com imirza.ct@gmail.comberickson.ct@gmail.com]]> http://www.centraltimes.org/?p=11765

Khaled Khatib discusses his passion for flight and future goals as a pilot.

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Central alumna wins scholarship in national giveaway http://www.centraltimes.org/showcase/2016/04/20/central-alumna-wins-scholarship-in-national-giveaway/ http://www.centraltimes.org/showcase/2016/04/20/central-alumna-wins-scholarship-in-national-giveaway/#respond Wed, 20 Apr 2016 23:07:45 +0000 nthanikachalam.ct@gmail.com]]> http://www.centraltimes.org/?p=11761

The crowd cheered as Kotryna Staputyte, a Naperville Central alumna who graduated in 2015, launched a football into the air… and it landed in an oversized Dr. Pepper bottle.

Staputyte was one of the PAC-12 Finalists competing for a $100,000 scholarship given away at the Dr. Pepper Tuition Giveaway at Levi’s Stadium in California. She had applied for the scholarship after seeing it online. All she had to do was apply on the website, and link it to Facebook.

Staputyte created a profile and stated her long-term goal regarding her future career.

“It seemed easy enough,” Staputyte said. “It was just cool to see all those people from all over the US writing down their goals, because I think that the first step in terms of goals is to write it down and make it real.”

The profiles were then voted on. Staputyte received over 50 votes, so she qualified for the video contest. She then submitted a minute-long video in which she stated what she would use the scholarship for.

“My best friend has a developmental disability,” Staputyte said in her application. “I have witnessed him improve his skills drastically since his time in the US, due to the medicine he has obtained and the amazing support system and friendships he has developed. I strive to be the first doctor in my family to improve the lives of children worldwide who are impacted by disabilities.”

Staputyte’s best friend, Dominykas                           , is now a senior at Central. Staputyte had first met Dominykas when Adapted PE instructor Pat Adamitis introduced them to each other.

When Dominykas first came to Central, he didn’t know English and only spoke in Lithuanian.

Adamitis was having trouble with him in class because he didn’t know the language enough to understand what they were saying.

“I started telling [Dominykas’s] story to everyone I saw, and somebody raised their hand and said ‘Go find Kotryna and one of the Resinas boys’” Adamitis said.

Staputyte was actually in one of Adamitis’s other classes, and Adamitis moved her to the hour with Dominykas.

“The next day, when when we introduced them to [Dominykas], and they spoke Lithuanian, it was like God had just walked in,” Adamitis said. “He just lit up because he could talk to somebody.”

Ever since then Kotryna and Dominykas were inseparable.

“She totally took care of him,” Adamitis said. “I introduced her to his mother, and the family connected… she would take him everywhere with her, and she kind of adopted him as her little brother.”

Even after Staputyte graduated and started going to the College of DuPage (COD), she would often come to visit Dominykas.

Staputyte has come back to Central to take Dominykas to the school dances. Around two years ago, Staputyte and Dominicas signed up to hand out flip-flops to the people who were at the Winter Dance.

“[Handing out flip-flops] had just started around two years ago, and when it did, Dominykas and I volunteered to hand out slippers to the dancers,” Staputyte said. “He really liked it. He likes feeling useful. I enjoyed seeing him being so happy and involved and social.”

Staputyte didn’t expect to get selected for the competition. She had actually bought tickets to go to Boston with a friend on the exact weekend of the final competition.

“Right after I booked the tickets, I got a call from Dr. Pepper telling me that I got selected,” Staputyte said. 16 finalists were selected out of 90,000 applicants. The 16 finalists were then split into groups of four, and would compete for the scholarship at the location they were sent to.

Staputyte went to California, to compete during the halftime of the Stanford and UCLA game. The competition guidelines were simple.

“There was a bucket of footballs, and a giant Dr. Pepper can 5 yards away,” Staputyte said. “You had to throw as many of [the footballs] as you could into the can.”

Staputyte had prepared beforehand. An engineering student at COD made a plywood model of the Dr. Pepper can for Staputyte to practice with. She also borrowed footballs from both COD and Central, and practiced throwing the footballs on Central’s football field. Senior Connor Joyce (quarterback??) helped Staputyte practice too.

At the competition, Staputyte made it past the first round against all four of the PAC-12 finalists. She then played a second round against finalist Isaac Castillo, winning with a score of 17-16.

After winning, Staputyte thanked both Dr. Pepper and Dominykas.

“[This scholarship] is going to change everything,” Staputyte said. “It’s going to help me pursue my dream of helping those with disabilities in the medical field without worrying about finances.”

Staputyte received a $100,000 scholarship, which she will use to later transfer to a different university. She wants to go somewhere along the west coast, more specifically in California.

Staputyte plans on working for an organization like Doctors Without Borders sometime in the future. Right now, she wants to get a degree in osteopathic medicine, which is very similar to a medical degree.

According to the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM), osteopathic medicine is a branch of the medical profession that takes a more holistic approach to medicine, viewing a patient as more than just body parts.

“It’s very similar to an M.D., but the reason I want to get a D.O. is because it actually addresses the whole body,” Staputyte said. “I’ve seen it firsthand that a holistic approach to something really works. With Dominykas, he didn’t just get better medicine in America. He also got the support system, the sports, the activities, the school, the friends, and all of that really improved his health.”

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Redeker, Hannan lift girls’ soccer over Schaumburg http://www.centraltimes.org/sports/2016/04/12/redeker-hannan-lift-girls-soccer-over-schaumburg/ http://www.centraltimes.org/sports/2016/04/12/redeker-hannan-lift-girls-soccer-over-schaumburg/#respond Tue, 12 Apr 2016 13:54:51 +0000 http://www.centraltimes.org/?p=11735

Central’s girls’ soccer team bested Schaumburg at the St. Charles East tournament this past Saturday by a score of 2-1.

Goals from sophomore Maddie Redeker and junior Meridith Hannan both came in the second period in a contest that saw 21 shots on goal for the Lady Redhawks.

The non-conference win improves Central’s record to 4-2-3, with a DVC conference record of 1-0-1. The team plays conference rival Metea Valley at home this afternoon at 5 p.m.

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Arbitrary representation isn’t enough: it has to be meaningful. http://www.centraltimes.org/showcase/2016/04/05/arbitrary-representation-isnt-enough-it-has-to-be-meaningful/ http://www.centraltimes.org/showcase/2016/04/05/arbitrary-representation-isnt-enough-it-has-to-be-meaningful/#respond Tue, 05 Apr 2016 16:05:03 +0000 http://www.centraltimes.org/?p=11732

As African-American after African-American glided across the stage to present awards at the 2016 Oscars, I felt a glimmer of hope. The annual award show is infamous for lacking diversity, and despite the fact that no African-Americans were nominated for Oscars this year, at least they were trying to compensate in this way.

However, when three Asians took the stage, I didn’t feel that same sense of hope. Maybe that was because they weren’t given the glamorous role of presenting an award in a tuxedo or floor-length gown, and instead were three young Asian children used as props for a racist joke.

In the middle of the show, host Chris Rock ushered three oblivious-looking Asian children, probably no older than 7 years old, onto the stage, joking that they were the accountants in charge of calculating the Oscar votes, all while the crowd laughed at the scene before them.

In addition to referencing the very tired stereotype that Asians are good at math, this “joke” also made light of the very real issue of child labor that still exists in many Asian countries.

Maybe, maybe, I could have simply looked the other way, but what worsened the situation was the fact that this was occurring during an event specifically aimed to focus on diversity. Sure, at least Asians were mentioned, but highlighting Asian stereotypes wasn’t exactly what I had in mind as far as representation is concerned.

There’s also the fact that the audience laughed at this spectacle. But what if a host made a joke directed towards African-Americans about slavery? Or what if a white host tried to make any joke at all? Would people still be laughing?

Don’t get me wrong—I’m not trying to say that Asians historically excelling at math and African-Americans being oppressed for years are on the same level whatsoever. But just because Asians have been coined the “model minority” doesn’t mean that we can be made fun of with the excuse that it’s actually some type of backhanded compliment.

While there were a number of African-Americans on stage at the awards show, and even segments that called the Academy Awards out on their lack of diversity—a bold move that I felt was necessary—African-Americans aren’t the only underrepresented minority in the film realm.

After all, the world isn’t just black and white.

Putting African-Americans on the stage in no way compensates for the derogatory remarks made towards Asians, let alone the complete lack of representation of Latinos and Indians and other groups that were not spoken for via demeaning joke or otherwise.

I hope to one day live in a world in which representation of minority groups in the Academy Awards isn’t something we need to try so hard to achieve, rather something that occurs without thought. But, if this is the way Asians are represented, I’d prefer no representation over poor representation.

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Redhawk of the Week: Rick Li http://www.centraltimes.org/showcase/2016/04/02/rick-li-young-scientist-at-heart/ http://www.centraltimes.org/showcase/2016/04/02/rick-li-young-scientist-at-heart/#respond Sun, 03 Apr 2016 03:48:39 +0000 jpark.ct@gmail.com]]> http://www.centraltimes.org/?p=11727

Since his junior high days, junior Rick Li has been an avid science enthusiast. Now as one of the captains of Science Olympiad, he is currently preparing for the next level of competition at State on April 16th.

From participating as a freshman junior varsity member to joining varsity as a sophomore to finally earning the title of Varsity Captain as a junior, Li has watched the team evolve over the span of his high school career.

“I think that the core of our team has stayed pretty similar, but this year we did really well at our regional,” he said.

Typically, the top 16 performers compete at regionals, but this year, the number dropped to the top five. Their efforts payed off as they returned from regionals with second place on March 12nd, placing higher than last year’s fifth place, causing Li much excitement.

Of the two Science Olympiad teams, junior varsity and varsity, varsity will be moving on to state, where there are usually 20 events, each entered by a group of two or three people.

“One of my events, Green Generation, is an ecology-related event, so I’ve been doing that as far back as junior high,” Li said. “ I also do Cell Biology which is fairly new.”

In addition to Green Generation and Cell Biology, Li studies Astrology, along with Anatomy and Physiology, as each person typically competes in three to four events at State.

On competition day, students have the option of participating in study events where they are evaluated with a test, lab events where they conduct an experiment and building events, a more engineering-based activity.

Since the study events distribute partner tests, Li will be working with sophomore Phoebe Harmon for Anatomy and Physiology, junior Bethany Simos for Astrology, sophomore Claire Chiu for Green Generation, and Junior Anisha Reddy for Cell Biology.

According to Reddy, Li competes extremely well and rarely arrives unprepared.

“On competition days, it amazes me how calm he is,” Reddy said. “He always knows what to say [and] he’s never at a loss for words.”

Also in Li’s AP Biology class, Reddy recognizes Li’s appreciation for the subject, as he is “always on top of the latest science news.”

AP Biology not only serves as a source of interest for Li, but also assists him in expanding his knowledge on concepts he will need for the upcoming competitions.

“[I] pick up on [knowledge] in class,” Li said. “With these new competitions and new topics I add on to the knowledge based on what I have.”

Despite the multitude of scientific fields, cell biology has captured his interest due to its complexity.

“I’m always so amazed at how much is happening at that tiny scale,” Li said. “And we don’t realize that there are so many complex interactions between cells organelles at the microscopic scale.”

In contrast, Li believes it is still important to study the large-scale realm of ecology in order to improve the quality of life today.

“It’s so important that we stay environmentally conscious and better understand the world around us,” he said.

Outside of Science Olympiad, Li invests his time on a research project, teamed with senior Lucy Wang and physicist Dr. Volker Rose from the Argonne National Laboratory.

Standing out among their peers, Li and Wang were offered an opportunity to conduct research using x-ray crystallography and historic documents from Naper Settlement in order to determine the chemical composition of iron gall ink. Their conclusions will help in discovering how to preserve old, handwritten documents by trying to “understand how ink interacts with parchment,” according to Li.

Though Li understands that it will be difficult for him to solve the problem entirely at this time, he expresses immense gratitude for the experience.

“It’s given us a chance to learn more about the scientific process with some amazing equipment at Argonne’s facility for collecting data,” Li said.

Li and Wang have met with Dr. Rose to test their hypothesis at Argonne on March 16th and will continue to send updates via Skype or email.

In regards to reaching a conclusion, Li and Wang plan to finish studying and getting ready to present their results to Argonne at an international conference on May 10th.

Looking down the road to his future, Li plans to work in a STEM related career and continue pursuing his passion.

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Freshman Daniel Keeling is a ‘triple-threat’ in performing arts http://www.centraltimes.org/showcase/2016/03/28/11720/ http://www.centraltimes.org/showcase/2016/03/28/11720/#respond Mon, 28 Mar 2016 17:41:14 +0000 fsonnichsen.ct@gmail.com]]> http://www.centraltimes.org/?p=11720

“I kind of always knew I would get into this.”

Freshman Daniel Keeling has been dancing since he was about three years old, acting since the 7th grade and singing for the past year and a half; it’s no surprise he immersed himself into the theater and choir programs at Naperville Central upon entering high school last fall.

According to Theatre Central President Anna Rose Redgate, the drama program offers several opportunities for newcomers to get involved, such as smaller student-written shows  performed throughout the Naperville community and options to be a crew member. Keeling, however, decided to audition for the Fall Main Stage show instead, a show which typically only upperclassman are cast in. Going against the norm, he made the part.

“It’s kind of incredible that someone who has never been in a high school with people who are significantly older than him and have been in more performances was able to step up right away and perform at the same level,” Redgate said.

Redgate recalls getting to work with Keeling in the fall show, “Don’t Drink the Water,” by Woody Allen, which she was also cast in.

“Daniel is a very fun kid to be around, but he is [also] very hard working,” Redgate said. “When someone gives him some sort of direction or note to improve, he always takes the note right away.”

Keeling played a Russian priest in the fall show and has since then performed in the Holiday Show, “The God Committee,” as a guidance counselor. Being cast in two consecutive shows may not be extraordinary, but it is certainly unusual for Keeling’s age group, according to director of “Don’t Drink the Water” Jenna Raneri, who did not even perceive Keeling as a freshman when working with him.

“He is so responsible with everything that he fools you into thinking he was older and that he knew what he was doing,” Raneri said.

Acting, however, is only a fraction of Keeling’s talents, as he considers himself a triple threat. If Keeling can get under the spotlight to perform, well, anything, he will.

“I just like being on stage and performing for people,” Keeling said.  

In all the different mediums Keeling can work in, he does nonetheless have a preference.

“Overall [I prefer musicals] because there just seems to be more energy with the dancing and singing and I just like when you can do all of them together,” Keeling said.

The passion for stagecraft seems to be stem from Keeling’s very core, as if he was wired to perform. Perhaps, this is indeed the case. His mother is a dance teacher and helped choreograph Central’s production of “Tarzan” last year, while his father plays “many instruments,” according to Keeling.

“They both support me a lot and they both got me into [performing],” Keeling said.
Despite Keeling’s numerous performance skills, Redgate hopes to see Keeling continuing in Theatre Central throughout his high school career.

“He is multi-talented, but I can really see him continuing to be in these performances, and possibly being a board member one day,” Redgate said. “I can see him doing some great things.”

Keeling himself could see a future in Theatre Central as well, as he would eventually like to direct the Holiday Show he performed in last December. For now, however, he is working on the school musical “Footloose” and will be both dancing and singing as the character Tony on April 21 through April 24.

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