By Jaci Gillen
Autumn
initially ran for Miss West Hempstead because it was something she thought
about since 9th grade. “I thought I would be a good fit because I am very
social, I’m really involved in school activities and I talk to everybody.”
One goal
Autumn stated she had was, “to allow people to become more involved in order to
gain a better sense of unity and to help break up some of that clique
mentality. I hope to break the status quo. So everybody can at least have a
friend so they won’t be alone here in the high school.”
Autumn is
very well rounded. Through the years she has been cheerleading, in the acapella
club, played lacrosse, been a member of student council, on the morning
announcements, and in the school plays. One of her favorite activities is
supporting our school teams, “I love to cheer out there at the football games,
because screaming is fun. And I try to go to all the basketball games as well.”
Outside of school Autumn keeps herself busy
too. She loves to sing even though she claims she is very shy. She certainly
does not seem shy around the building. She also says she wishes she could be a
professional dancer.These things are hobbies even if I’m not the greatest.
Autumn
also shared with me some of the shows she likes to watch on Netflix. “So,
my current favorite movie is, “To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before” based
on the best-selling book. I also like Insatiable and Rick and Morty,
even though it’s not on Netflix.
Being on
the Homecoming float with Mr. West Hempstead, Rob Bethune, was fun for her
because they have been friends for a long time. “My sister and his sister
are actually best friends so I see Dani, his sister, a lot. She comes over a lot and our parents know
each other. I’m very friendly with Robert and I actually visited him in the
hospital when he had his surgeries for his back. On the float for the parade
Autumn said was really cool. “Our driver which is… Daniel Martinez’s dad, he
was playing music on the radio so it was really fun. And also Robert and I were
watching each others backs because we really thought we were gonna fall off!”
Autumn’s
message to the underclassmen is, “… stay true to yourself because in high
school peer pressure is a thing, so people expect you to be different
and you might start acting that way. And also, talk to everybody! And be nice
to everybody because you never know what’s going on at home or how somebody’s
day went.”
“After
high school I definitely plan to go to college and just at least make a
difference in the world because we need a whole bunch of that, we need a
change.”
Robert
Bethune explained his motivation for running for Mr. West Hempstead. “Well I
just wanted to you know, because I’m a senior I wanted the underclassmen to
know that I’m going be there for them. I just want to make sure everyone’s
voices get heard and everything.”
Robert
thought it was important for the underclassmen to feel safe in the school.
“It’s a scary environment for the freshmen because they go from middle school
to high school so I want them to know that they can come to me about anything,
you know they can come to me after school.
Robert also
has a message for the underclassmen. “If you ever have a problem you can come
to me or your guidance counselor. The counselor will be there even when I’m
gone. Their guidance counselor is going to be your best friend by the end of
high school.
“When I
was a freshmen I never wanted to go to teachers or counselors so I offer my
counsel to anyone who wants it. Before you even come talk to me you should know
that I welcome your visit and that, I’m a really outgoing guy and that I say
what you need to know instead of what you want to hear.”
Robert
has a keen interest in films and screen writing. He says that he would
either like to become a lawyer or write for movies. He was torn between
attending SUNY Potsdam or Five Towns College.
