Our Year - 2009

Tommy - 17

This year I turned 17. I am a senior at Mountain Vista High School. Only a few months left until I graduate, I can’t wait! I have already been accepted to UNC-Greeley to become a Film Critic and a High School History teacher.

One of the biggest things that happened to me this year is that I got pre-engaged (having exchanged promise rings) with my girlfriend Danae.

I still love snakes and still have three, Vito (garter), Jaden (ball python), and Schubert (corn). This year I have also discovered an interest in platypuses as well (Dad says I can’t have one. The moron).

My interest in all things film continued. I currently only have 2 Academy Award Best Pictures winning films left to watch: Midnight Cowboy (1969) and American Beauty (1999). I have assigned myself to a few new film lists to watch which means I only have about 1,500 films left. I currently get up every Saturday morning (4 am) to watch these, so I should be done in about 15 years or so.

This year has gone by very quickly. A lot of crazy/fun things have happened:

In October, I had my Directorial Debut with the Freshman/Sophomore show at High School with my best friend Tim. It was called A Cold Day In Hell. We had a blast directing it. I even put aside my differences with my sister Jenny and cast her in a major role.

After finishing my Junior Year with 5 A’s and 2 B+’s, senioritis has hit me like a truck. I’m trying not to worry too much about it (my parents are doing enough of that) as I always seem to pull my grades up in the end.

I had two opportunities to be on stage this year with stage Flight's production of The Crucible and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

I spent most of my fall break chopping down the annoying 5 foot tree stump that has been standing in our backyard for a good 5 years or so. Granted, the fallen stump will continue to lie in its current spot for another 5 years, but it’s a step forward. My Dad was pretty proud of me taking the initiative on my own and getting it down.

As exciting as this year has been I am really looking forward to this upcoming year. Graduation/college is on the horizon!