Rock Falls Township High School December Student of the Month: Sydney Reyes

Sydney Reyes, 17, of Rock Falls, is Rock Falls High School’s December Student of the Month. She is the daughter of Andrea Leal and Daniel Reyes, and has a brother, Isaiah Celestino.

Favorite class: Holocaust and genocide studies, because I think it’s amazing that Rock Falls offers a class to learn more about genocides in history that many people don’t know about.

Least-favorite class: Biology, because I’m not very interested in science and I do not like dissecting at all.

Favorite teacher: Although I enjoy many of my teachers throughout high school, one of my favorites would be Nicole Janssen because I liked her teaching style, and she is so kind and helpful to her students.

School activities in which you participate in: Cross country and track all 4 years, Student Council, class officer, Building Lasting Impressions that Never Die leader, Junior Optimist, and National Honor Society treasurer.

Civic, church, or volunteer activities in which you participate: As a member of the Junior Optimist Club, I volunteer in activities around the community such as Hometown Holidays, Santa on the Go, and Feed the Children during the summer.

What will you do after high school? I plan to attend a 4-year university in Illinois and major in business management.

What is something you learned in high school that you think you’ll never use? The unit circle from my math classes.

If you could change one thing about your school, what would it be? I would change the policy that upperclassmen have to stay in school in the first- or last-period study hall. I think it would be a nice opportunity for upperclassmen to either come to school late or leave school early.

If you could create a new class in your school what would it be? I would create another foreign language class, since we offer only Spanish.

What does it take to be a successful high school student? A student needs to be motivated and have organizational skills.

Do you have a job? I am a dance teacher at Cassie’s Dance Academy year-round, and I am a receptionist at B’lush Salon during my breaks from school. I love my jobs because both of my employers are very flexible around my busy schedule and very supportive of everything I do.

How would you describe your group of friends? My group of friends is similar to me in personality. They are highly motivated in school and other activities and are fun to be around.

Who is your best friend? Kennedi Oltmans. We have been friends since middle school and our personalities and interests complement each other well.

What do you do in your free time? My absolute favorite thing to do outside of school is to play with my younger cousins Leo and Mia, 1. It is so fun being able to teach them new things.

What kind of music are you listening to? I am a fan of all kinds of music. Typically I listen to pop, but I am playing the Pentatonix Christmas album on repeat.

If you could go anywhere in the world for free, where would you go? I would go to Bora Bora, because of the beautiful coral reefs and bungalows that sit on stilts over the ocean.

What is your favorite childhood memory? Going on vacations to Disney World with my family and visiting Brookfield Zoo every year before the start of school.

What is the best way to cheer you up? Ice cream. Although ice cream can’t solve all of my problems, it sure does help. Oreo preferably, but I appreciate any kind.

What is your life’s philosophy? There will always be someone who criticizes what you do, so you might as well do what makes you happy.

What would you do if you received $1 billion all of a sudden? I would save some for future expenses then pay off all bills for my family members and take them to see the world for a few years.

Is there anything else you want people to know about you? I would like people to know that my accomplishments and awards would not have been possible without the incredible support from my family members, and I am extremely grateful for the amount of love and support I receive in everything I do.

Favorite

Number: 20

App: TikTok

Musical artist: Bruno Mars

TV show: “Parks and Recreation”

Pro or college sports team: Chicago Cubs