The youngest of five children, Reed first will go on a two-year mission for his church and then head to Brigham Young University-Idaho to study applied technology.
The Dayton Daily News is profiling seniors who teachers and administrators said went above and beyond their four years in high school.
He doesn’t yet know the destination of his mission. “They choose for me, so I could go to Alabama or Uganda. It is up to them,” he said.
When he arrives at college, his plans include participating in ROTC to become an officer in the Army Reserves. He sees applied technology as a logical choice. “I’ve always loved computers and helping people with them, so I figure why not put that to use?” he said.
When not studying for classes at Tipp City, Reed said he basically lived at the school Center for Performing Arts. There, he learned how to run the lights and sound and ended up running the sound for the school musical, play and most of the choir concerts, when he wasn’t acting or singing.
His favorite teacher was Amanda Hughes.
“She helped me discover the joy and exciting nature of music, and led me to the home away from home I found in the members of THS choir. I had been helping out choir for a very long time before I was actually in it, and I remember seeing symphonic choir and how good they were and realized it was because of the direction from Mrs. Hughes that they brought goosebumps to my arms at every concert... She is an amazing woman, so incredibly strong and ready to do whatever she has to for her students,” he said.
For the past year, Reed has worked at Taco Bell, a place he said offers a good work environment and super friendly co-workers.
Living through COVID-19 during his senior year changed his perspective on what’s really important.
“I believe that because of COVID I learned that it’s not what we do that matters, but who we are with along the way that makes us who we are. It’s the people we surround ourselves with that define who we are, what we represent. And it’s the friendships we make that will last us a lifetime, not the awards we won along the way,” Reed said.
His advice to underclassmen: “‘Don’t be afraid to be yourself! Sometimes you will be challenged, but stay true to who you are and you can get through anything life has to throw at you’”
Reed is an Eagle Scout, was symphonic choir president, member of the International Thespian Society Troupe 1642, amateur radio operator and plays piano, harmonica, Native American flute, tin whistle and guitar. He is also a member of the District XI Honors Choir and Wright State Honors Choir.
Contact this contributing writer at nancykburr@aol.com
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