Sterling High School November Student of the Month: Andrew Valentino

Andrew Valentino, 18, is one of Sterling High School’s November Students of the Month. His parents are Anthony and Kelly, and his brothers are Matthew, 15, and Luke, 12.

Favorite class: Band. This is the one class where I get to take a break from learning and play music.

Least-favorite class: Spanish. I can understand only basic Spanish, even though I took 4 years of it.

Favorite teacher: Nicole Schlemmer, biology. She is always coming up with new, exciting ways to teach her students.

School activities in which you participate: Cross country, swimming, tennis, Scholastic Bowl, band, National Honor Society, freshman mentor program, WYSE (Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering), and Math Team.

Civic, church, volunteer or other activities in which you participate: Civil Air Patrol, Culver Military Academy Summer School, Sacred Heart youth group, and visiting with residents at Heritage Woods.

Do you have a job? Part-time at Boston Leather Inc.

How would you describe your group of friends? Trustworthy, outgoing, and adventurous.

What will you do after high school? Attend the U.S. Air Force Academy to study aeronautical engineering

What is something you learned in high school that you think you will never use? The differences between the Federalists and Democratic-Republicans.

What kind of music are you listening to? Mostly popular music and classic rock.

What's the one thing in your life you can't do without? My family.

What is your advice for surviving high school? Set goals for the future and do not be afraid to fail.

If you could change one thing about your school, what would it be and why? The no-backpack policy. It is very inconvenient to have to stop at my locker multiple times per day.

What's something about you that nobody knows? I have earned a U.S. Sailing Association small boat sailing certification.

If you could try any job for a day, what would it be? It has always been my dream to become an astronaut. I have always wanted to see Earth from space.

If you could go anywhere in the world for free, where would it be? Florence, Italy. I visited it more than 6 years ago, and it is my favorite place I have traveled.

What is a good book you read most recently? "Yeager: An Autobiography" by Gen. Chuck Yeager. This book tells the story of the first man to fly faster than the speed of sound. The stories he tells about the beginning of the age of jet aviation are truly inspiring.

What is your proudest moment? Graduating from Culver Military Academy Summer School. The experiences, success, and friends I gained through three summers spent at Culver will benefit me throughout the rest of my life.

Who is your hero/role model? Elon Musk, an influential member in two of my favorite corporations, Tesla and SpaceX.

What do you think your life will be like 10 years from now? I hope to be serving as a fighter pilot in the Air Force.

Is there anything else you would want people to know about you? I strive to take every opportunity possible.

Is there someone you'd like to send a shout out to? The members of the Whiteside County Civil Air Patrol.

What is your favorite ...

App? Facebook

Food? Pizza

Game or activity? Tennis

Movie? "The Martian"

TV show? "The Grand Tour"

Sports team? Chicago Cubs