MVHS Senior: 'These Are the Wonder Years'

By Riley Bannon, Editor-in-Chief, The Em Vee Hi

Senior John Victoria truly does it all.

A member of National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, Forensics and Debate, Young Democrats, News Crew, Chess Club, Future Business Leaders of America, Gay Straight Alliance, It’s Academic, the wrestling and tennis teams, and a Student Advisory Council delegate, he balances all of his clubs and activities while leaving what he hopes to be a lasting legacy on the school.

With such a busy schedule, Victoria has worked hard to figure out how to balance it all. The self-proclaimed “introvert” uses a to-do list system called the Wonder List, and focuses on time management. Equally important to his success is taking time to relax by meditating and reading. His success throughout high school as an involved leader inspired him to found his latest extra-curricular activity; the Checkmate Initiative.

The Checkmate Initiative is a student-run club that aims to motivate other students, and prepare them to succeed in the future.

            “I was inspired to start Checkmate Initiative because I saw that if there was a person like me to help guide me throughout high school, I’d be much better prepared for the future,” Victoria said.

As he moves on from high school next year, hopefully to Duke University or the Naval Academy to pursue politics, philosophy, or economics, said he hopes that his club will be the legacy he leaves.

“I hope that Checkmate will become a place of self-improvement and that the students it helps will be better prepared to accomplish goals in the future,” Victoria said.

Victoria’s lengthy resume and unique approach to tackling everything from school to sports to student council has left him with a good piece of advice for ambitious students like himself.

“Never stop working,” Victoria said. “Hustle your butt off. These are the wonder years.”

Editor's Note: These articles are written by Mount Vernon High School student reporters for The Em Vee Hi, the school newspaper. These articles are running on Mount Vernon Patch as part of a partnership between Mount Vernon Patch and the journalism class at MVHS.