Thomas is such an accomplished, and nice, kid that I honestly don't even know where to start with him. Well I guess the best place might be at the beginning, of our shoot that is. Like I said, Thomas is really impressive and that includes how he carries himself. For example, he wanted to make sure that he got some pictures in his suit. As he should, he looked quite dashing in it. We originally were going to shoot at a different location but then I remembered that this particular park has a play lemonade stand which would be just perfect for Thomas. Last year as a junior, Thomas applied for, and received, a grant from a local bank to run an after school program at our elementary school to teach business and marketing strategies. The product and venue? Lemonade from your neighborhood lemonade stand. So we totally needed to get a picture of Thomas in his suit by the lemonade stand!!
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The list of his activities during high school is quite extensive. He is a past member of DECA and the now disbanded Astronomy Club and a current member of the Math Team and a Junior Statesmen of America/Model United Nations/Youth and Government, by the way, those used to be 3 separate clubs but Thomas oversaw their merger into 1 club. He also is a commentator for Knightline, the high school news station, a volunteer for Stoughton Media Access Cable station (I sometimes help SMAC out as well so I see him a lot in this capacity) and is involved with the Supplemental Education Programs of America. In addition, he is also a member of School Council and is currently in the process of starting a National Business Honor Society with one of his teachers and is the the media coordinator for the Advisory program at the high school.. And, there is more (although I am not quite sure how he can possibly fit anymore into a day), he is running a film festival and is a member of the Walking Dead Fan Club. Whew, I don't know about you but just reading all that makes me tired, didn't I tell you he was impressive??
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Thomas was sweet enough to take some pictures with his mom, Cheryl. It is quite obvious that they have a great relationship and a really strong bond! Needless to say that while she is extremely proud and wants only the best for him, she feels a little verklempt when she thinks of him going off to college. I don't blame her at all, especially when his list consists of all of these distinguished, but pretty far distance wise, schools: University of Tennessee - Knoxville, University of Texas - Austin, RIT, University of Illionis - Urbana-Champaign, Oregon State University. Quite the list!!!
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As part of my questionnaire, I ask the kids what their biggest accomplishment is. I thought that the answer that Thomas gave me was very thoughtful so I am going to share it with you. He wrote, "I don't really know. I do a variety of things, video production to basically being a community organizer. After I do anything, like make Knightline's intro or run a lemonade stand class, I feel like I get the same amount of the feelings of accomplishment and satisfaction. This of course meaning like right after achieving the thing, afterwards I can judge it all I want. But in the moment of achievement, every one of my achievements, feels equally great to me. I think it might be the structure of it." Isn't that an amazing answer? Shows such a deep level of thought and introspection, remarkable from anyone but extraordinary coming from a teenager, I think.
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Thank you Thomas for sharing a bit of your senior year with me. It was such a pleasure to spend some time with you, your mom and your sister. It has also been great getting to work alongside you with SMAC, you are always so professional and organized. Have a wonderful senior year, enjoy every moment. I hope that you make all of your hopes, both long and short term, come true and that all of the luck, and uncontrollable variables, in life go firmly and consistently your way, both this year and into the future. Take care and thank you again.
