Senior, Peter Riojas, sees the sideways glances.
He knows they think he’s being naive. That he’s too ambitious.
But Peter ignores them. He uses them as motivation. Because he’s reaching for the
stars. The moon. The planets. Literally. Peter is space-bound.
It’s 5:00 a.m. when Peter’s alarm goes off in his blue bedroom with the star lamp.
He goes about getting ready to head to the gym, passing the model Air Force
planes on the dresser and the bookshelf filled with drumsticks and trophies.
But more than any of the memorabilia in his room, it’s the poster of the Challenger
astronauts that his mother gave him when he was in elementary school that
inspires him to become an astronaut.
“Ever since I got that photo, I was like ‘I want to do that,'” Peter said.
“I want to be one of them.”
Because of his early decision and dedication, Peter has been able to tailor his
education to better his chances and further his experiences.
“I started as a really young kid,” Peter said. “I was fascinated with
astronomy and the sciences. As my life progressed, I got more and more into
math, physics and sciences in general.”
Peter said that the leadership and disciplinary skills he has learned through his
position as the Marcus Drumline captain will help him on his career path.
Michelle Riojas, Peter’s mother, also noticed the beneficiary role that drumline
has played in Peter’s life.
“It’s given him a great sense of time prioritization,” Michelle said. “They
learn to just try their hardest and do their best, no matter the outcome, and
the process is what’s important. I think he truly believes that because it’s
something that he has extended even to his academic work.”
But it’s not just the work that he’s already done between school and drumline that
will affect his chances of becoming an astronaut. And those chances are slim.
According to USA Today, of the more than 3,000 people who applied for the last
astronaut class in 2009, nine were selected. But he stays motivated and
confident.
“I feel like there really isn’t anyone like me in this world that can offer the
amount of experience that I’ve had,” Peter said.
That’s not to say that there haven’t been moments of doubt. Moments of worry.
But because Peter has been seeing stars for as long as he can remember, he remains
determined.
“The space industry is always developing, so …the possibilities [and] how far you
can go in the future are limitless,” Peter said.
Peter is applying to several universities, including the Air Force Academy and
Columbia, with an interest in majoring in either mechanical engineering or
aeronautical engineering. After college he plans to join the Air Force and
acquire his piloting license. From there, he intends to go work for NASA.
For now, though, his mother has one simple piece of advice for him: “Keep
reaching for the stars.”
Senior, Joseph Martin, knows they think he can’t do it.
He hears the sighs and sees the eye rolls. He hears the disbelief and doubt in
people’s voices.
But Joseph doesn’t care. He knows better. Because Joseph envisions cabinet meetings and elections. He wants to make a difference in a big way. Joseph Martin is
Oval Office bound.
Some people may think that today’s generation is known for their political apathy: a
lack of concern for politics and the government. But for Joseph, that has never
been the case. In fact, it distresses him.
“It really makes me sad that there’s no one saying the pledge of allegiance,”
Joseph said. “I’m very proud to be an American. I’m really happy I’m a
part of [America].”
Joseph’s aspirations began at a very young age. His father is actively involved in the
military, and Joseph has always known that he wanted to be in charge, to be
influential. But it was his fourth grade year that really cemented his decision
to someday run for President.
Up until 2007, fifth graders from several Texas elementary schools went to fifth
grade camp. Camp week was a big deal and a rite of passage for many. Upon
hearing that it would be cancelled just before this year’s seniors would be
able to go, Joseph decided to do something about it. He sent a petition around
his classes, wrote a speech with the help of his mother, and stood up in front
of the school board and 300 audience members. Upon completion, Joseph received
a standing ovation and the next year, eager fifth graders boarded the charter
busses and made their way to camp.
“”After [speaking] I realized it was fun,” Joseph said. “I really liked
influencing things, so that’s when I started thinking about politics.”
As driven as Joseph is, though, the road to becoming the president isn’t easy. The
odds of becoming President are one in 316 million.
“Everyone doubts themselves,” he said. “But because I’m shooting so high,
even if I get a little bit lower than that, I’ll still be in good shape.”
There is obviously a lot of work involved with becoming president, and thankfully
Joseph has gotten a head start on it already. This past summer, Joseph was part
of a very selective group of seniors, called Texas Boy’s State (TBS). TBS
allows its students to partake in a mock government, with real elections and
other political aspects.
“It was probably one of the best things I’ve done in my entire life,” Joseph
said. “A lot of times in high school, people are politically apathetic,
but to actually meet a group of 999 other kids who care about politics, it was
really special to me.”
Joseph’s number one pick for college is George Washington Lee University, where he plans on majoring in political science and another major that he’s undecided on.
Afterwards, he plans on attending University of Virginia (a university
established by Thomas Jefferson — Joseph’s favorite president) and getting his
law degree in Constitutional Law. Despite the arduous career and educational
path ahead of him, Joseph said he is excited.
“Sure, the world is changing a lot,” Joseph said. “But I still have faith in my country. I want to get people excited about America again.”
Junior, Peighton Hornung, feels her peers’ judgments.
She knows they think she’s being too hopeful. Expecting too much. She knows they
call her “theater freak” behind her back. But Peighton doesn’t listen to them. She doesn’t have time for their petty insults. She’s too busy rehearsing lines and emulating numerous characters. Her daydreams are full of spotlights and sold out theaters. Peighton is Broadway-bound.
Ever since she was a little girl, Peighton has been putting on plays, whether they
were on the hearth in the living room for her family or in the front yard with
kids in her neighborhood. Her bedroom features several play bills (including
one from her favorite production, Newsies) and her phone case displays the name of the place she dreams of living and working in: New York City.
“I just want to be able to be on stage and perform,” Peighton said.
“If that’s just singing or just dancing or acting, I’ll be happy
with it. Broadway, though, is my ultimate goal.”
Peighton has been performing for a larger audience since the sixth grade when she joined the drama department at Briarhill Middle School. Peighton’s mother, KC Hornung,
plays a large role in keeping her motivated and preparing Peighton for her
shows. Whether it’s reading lines with her or watching from the audience as her
daughter transforms into someone else entirely, KC is happy to be a part of the
production.
“This is where she should be,” KC said. “She becomes the character. You
forget that it’s Peighton on stage. That determination, the drive, and the
love–the absolute love she has for performing–is why I know she’s in the
right spot.”
But as so often is the case with ambitious and career-driven students, Peighton
hasn’t had an easy time getting to where she is now. Throughout most of middle
school, she was bullied and teased. She chooses, however, to use the bullies to her advantage.
“It’s just fueled me to work harder,” Peighton said. “But you have to
ignore that hurting and use it to make you better. Because without that
happening, I might not even be doing it right now.”
More than anything, though, it’s the feeling of being on stage, of being the center
of attention and standing in the spotlight that encourages Peighton to work
hard now. She realizes and accepts that her expectations are very high, and
while she acknowledges that Broadway Blvd. is not known for it’s acceptance and
kind feedback, Peighton is not too worried.
“I think every actor… doubts themselves because you are your biggest
critic,” Peighton said. “But that’s what it is, I signed up for it.
And I think I’m prepared to handle it.”
Peighton plans on attending New York University and applying to the Tisch School of Arts. From there it’s off to auditions and theaters.
Through all of Peighton’s past and yet-to-come ups and downs, her mother reminds her of one thing: “The only failure is not trying.”
