Stryder is thinking hard. “I’m still trying to think of a funny or embarrassing moment...There’s gotta be something from a tennis match or something.”
He looks to John Henry, who is also deep in thought. “I dunno,” says John Henry. “Most of what we do when we hang out is, like, eat or, like, play tennis. And so much of that is so...serious.”
The reality is, they’ve had funny memories, but many of John Henry and Stryder’s best moments together have occurred during the small jokes that come up in conversation, bound to be lost to memory.
John Henry is still trying to come up with something interesting. “Sometimes we’ll match outfits when we play.”
“Yeah, if we’re playing doubles.” Stryder clarifies. “‘Cause then, it’s, you know...looks classy for school.”
Most of their time together is spent during sports.
“We first got to be friends because we were in AP Spanish during 9th grade and he was on the soccer team and stuff,” John Henry recalls. “We always spend a lot more time together during tennis season, because, ya know, we’re on a team together. And soccer.”
You’ve probably seen them around. Stryder, a man of few words, educates students on the dangers of vaping and John Henry, instantly recognizable by his famed Michigan sweater, is well known for being an incredibly smart and hardworking person. Like all good students, they have a few tips for underclassmen on how to stay afloat in school and prepare for college.
“Do summer programs starting the summer between your sophomore and your junior year,” John Henry recommends.
Stryder agrees. “Yeah, like, similar concept. Just stay involved. So, whatever your passion is, whatever you like to do, whether that’s sports, teaching programs or teams or...I mean, whatever it is that you like, just dedicate time to it to show that you care not just about yourself, but [about] communities and people.”
“Take subject tests as soon as you can [at] the end of a class,” John Henry adds. “So, like, if you’re taking chemistry then try to take the subject test in May or in June rather than in August. That’s a big one. Join clubs or also just try to volunteer in your community. Just something to fill your time.”
As they begin to near the end of high school, John Henry and Stryder already have a few plans in mind for their near future. Both of them want to study abroad at some point and learn about different cultures to make use of their language skills and discover new interests. They also want to make a difference in the world in their own ways.
It doesn’t matter where they are. With their strong work ethics, vast intelligence, and a healthy amount of ambition, these two are ready to take on the world.
Written by Karen Jie, Copy Editor