Rachel Boone: Sliding through Senior year

Editor's Note: This article was originally published in the Phoenixville Area High School Purple Press. It is one in a series of profiles of PAHS Class of 2013 Students posted on Patch by special arrangement with PAHS and the Purple Press student newspaper.

by Alex Speers

Rachel Boone: Sliding through senior year

You may have seen her on the softball field, in a classroom, or passing you in the halls, but how much do you really know about senior Rachel Boone? Rachel is more than just this graduating class’s salutatorian; she is highly a highly motivated, intelligent, and all-around wonderful individual.

 Rachel is well-known at school for both her outstanding academic performance, and her skills on the softball field. As varsity pitcher for the Lady Phantoms Softball Team, Rachel finds both difficulties and enjoyment. She says sometimes it’s tough to maintain a positive attitude when things happen that are out of her control, but the thrill of being a pitcher is what really marks her love for the game. From her four years on the team, pitching her first perfect game against Pottstown is one of her best memories, along with getting the opportunity to play with her friends and creating a bond both on and off the field.

When Rachel isn’t throwing fastballs, she is hard at work in school. Contradictory to the usual case of seniorits, Rachel takes four AP classes and has earned a well-deserved spot at number two in this year’s graduating class. Although she wouldn’t classify herself as a nerd because she doesn’t like the “suspenders and duct tape glasses” stereotype, she has no problem admitting she’s a dork. “I love fun facts. It’s all about fun facts!” said Rachel, and if that isn’t enough to convince you of her passion for learning, she also claims that her favorite class at school is Physics. Yes, physics. However, she does admit that the class is a love/hate relationship. Her favorite teacher is Mr. Jennings because she says he taught her what it means to really learn, as opposed to just memorizing theorems.

Outside of school, Rachel enjoys spending time with her family which consists of her older brother Zach who’s getting married next summer, her younger sister Sara, and her mom and dad. She also likes to spend time with her cat Shadow as well as volunteer at Main Line Animal Rescue walking dogs on the weekends.  Rachel also spends her weekends with her travel softball team Sting that she has been a part of since she was twelve years old, and spending time with her boyfriend. Although Rachel’s schedule is jam-packed, that’s just the way she likes it, claiming “I like to be busy because I think I would get bored if I wasn’t involved in stuff.”

After graduation in June, Rachel is headed to Swarthmore College where she’ll major in biology and maybe applied math, “just for kicks”. She hopes her time at Swarthmore will lead to a spot in vet school at the University of Pennsylvania and eventually a career as a veterinarian. She also plans to further her career as a pitcher on her college’s softball team, and hopes to branch out and meet new people as a result.

Rachel’s advice to underclassmen is to get involved in things that interest you and to focus on your studies, because according to her “It pays off in the long run.” Obviously, it paid off for Rachel. Her hard work, easy-going demeanor, and contagious laugh will surely be missed at Phoenixville Area High School.