Ian • PCS • Class of 2023

Picture the quiet kid you knew growing up. Now picture the kid who is the funniest kid you knew growing up. If you put them together, you get Ian. He's one of Riley's best friends, so I've been able to hear all the funny things he's done throughout the last 4 years second hand. From the meme's he's shared, to his commentary on anything from video games to politics, I've enjoyed hearing what he's had to say. When he was a junior, I had the opportunity to be at their Jr. Prom taking pictures, and I will never forget walking by the table with him, Riley, Kylie, Allie and several of their friends and hearing him say one word and the kids just started cracking up. I don't know what it was, or what the context was, but I know that it must have been well timed and delivered!

While he is a quiet kid, don't let that fool you! During our session it took some time to get him to relax and warm up, but talking about video games got him going. He told me all about the games he likes to play, what games are terrible, what games he enjoyed playing with his classmates, and how he'd like to be a professional e-sports player and earn millions of dollars in sponsorships. I think that was just to play Fall Guys. 
I've watched as he's grown into one of the most popular kids in the class this year, through his quiet demeanor and shy confidence (yes, that's a thing). His peers found out how funny he is, and how much fun he is to be around (something Riley will proclaim that he's known all along). It's always amazing to see the growth of these "kids" in just 10 months, and to watch as they learn who they are and start finding where they might belong. 

Ian, I can't wait to see what Geneva does for you! Your growth in the last few months alone has been so wonderful to watch, and to see your parent's pride in you shine through and your younger brother look up to you is testimony to what a wonderful young man you are. Here's to 4 years of fun, friends, learning, video games, memes, and showing the world who you are!