Schools
Hills West Salutatorian Says It's All About Balance
Ryan Lisann says it's all about mixing work and pleasure, and he's off to do just that at Dartmouth.
All work and no play make Ryan Lisann a dull boy.
It's not an issue with the senior, as he's led a busy, well-rounded high school career, one that's led to him being named the salutatorian for the Class of 2011.
The academic side?
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He's got that covered, as he'll bring a over-98 average with him when he addresses his fellow graduates during commencement ceremonies June 26.
"I knew I was in the top portion of the class [grade-wise], but I was definitely surprised to be second in the class," Ryan said. "I felt very honored by the fact I got this award."
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Ryan is president of his school's Key Club, where it's all about community service. He's especially proud of the work he did organizing an adaptive physical education program at , where special needs kids learn athletic skills, namely basketball.
He also loves math, and is quick to praise recently retired teacher Mr. Blaine as one of his favorites.
"He made math interactive, drilled the concepts at you until you knew them cold ... one of his years he had all fives on the AP exams for all of his students," Ryan said.
And the praise for Ryan comes from the faculty as well.
"He always has a smile on his face, he is very involved in the building in terms of different clubs and organizations," assistant principal Frank Pugliese said. "His commitment outside the building to charity and community service is amazing."
Ryan is also a varsity tennis player, and that's where the balance comes in, and where it will lead him next year, to Dartmouth College in New Hampshire. He chose to go there over the University of Pennsylvania.
"I felt Dartmouth was a lot more low-key," Ryan said of the two Ivy League schools. "I don't like to be so intense in my work, I like to relax and have a mix between the two."
It's a conducive atmosphere he'll be stepping into, for learning and, well, just being a teen. It's a carry-over from his time at Hills West, where he says his fellow seniors have been great to him, since he was named salutatorian.
"I feel like once I was recognized as salutatorian, my classmates were very supportive, gave me a pat on the back or said great job," he said.
And a great message to all students: work and pleasure, they mix quite well.
Even for a salutatorian.
