Jonathan Wood Eyes Career as
College Professor
If Jonathan Wood's plan comes to fruition, he will be a college history professor one day.
The teenager's educational journey began at Southdown Primary School and is ending on a high note as a member of Huntington High School's Class of 2013.
"I plan to study history in college and to one day become a college professor of American studies," Mr. Wood said. "I know this requires that I get multiple master's degrees and a doctorate, but I feel up to the challenge. I think that as long as I'm doing something I love, it isn't really work, right?"
The teenager's senior year schedule includes AP Microeconomics, AP Calculus AB, AP U.S. Government and Politics, AP English Literature and Composition and honors courses in Spanish and physics, in addition to band.
A member of numerous honor societies, Mr. Wood also participates in Huntington's Key Club and Habitat for Humanity chapter. He's enjoyed a well-rounded high school experience and formed many close friendships along the way.
AP US History a Favorite
Mr. Wood points to Advanced Placement U.S. History as his favorite course over the past four years. He thoroughly enjoyed working with teacher Kenneth Donovan in the class. "He taught the material in a way that was interesting and engaging and taught me to analyze history from multiple viewpoints," the teenager said. "Mr. Donovan contributed a lot to my decision to study history with a focus in American studies in college."
The senior admires high school social studies teacher James Graber. "He makes the AP Microeconomics course manageable for me and is more than happy to review a concept if I am having trouble or don't understand it the first time," Mr. Wood said. "I look up to Mr. Graber and I hope that I can be as good of a teacher and adult as him when I get older."
English teacher Kelly Quintero and social studies department faculty member Camille Tedeschi have also made an impression on Mr. Wood. "I owe a lot to Mrs. Quintero and Ms. Tedeschi for being great teachers and for pushing me to do my best at everything I do," he said. "Women's Studies, which I took this year, made me able to think more about how history affects women and of their struggles for equality to men."
Some of Mr. Wood's most memorable high school experiences have included participating in the Math Honor Society's Pi Day pie-eating contest, being a member of the Blue Devil marching band for the past four years and serving as a drum major as a senior and working as a lab assistant for science teacher Marguerite Montefusco since 10th grade. "All of these and many other experiences have helped to shape me as a leader, friend and scholar," he said.
A member of Troop 12 of the Boy Scouts of America since he was a sixth grader, Mr. Wood earned the rank of Eagle Scout this year. It's the highest rank a scout can garner. "Only about one percent of scouts ever get the rank of Eagle," he said proudly. "It was a lot of work, but it was worth it."
Music Plays Major Role
Music has also been a major part of Mr. Wood's life. "The music program at the high school is phenomenal and playing the trumpet has completely changed my life in so many ways," he said. "I honestly cannot imagine how I would have turned out over these four years had I not been in the band program. I choose not to think about it. As a senior, music is becoming an even bigger part of my life than I could have ever imagined, as I am performing multiple gigs outside of school and doing extensive networking for the future."
Although he loves music, it will not be Mr. Woods' major or even minor in college. "It will always be a part of my life and I hope to keep playing the trumpet in various ensembles for the foreseeable future," he said.
Mr. Wood doesn't mince words in his advice to incoming freshmen: "Don't be afraid to try something you've never done before when you get into high school. Also, don't underestimate how great you can be and how much you can achieve. It's not "lame" or "uncool" to do well in school. Later in life, you'll really thank yourself for putting actual time and effort into doing well in school, and it will put you into a much better place later in life.