Student of the Week Springfield-Clark CTC/Springfield High School

Mackenzie Rice

Mackenzie Rice

Name: Mackenzie Rice

School: Springfield-Clark CTC/Springfield High School

Grade: 12

Age: 17

Extra-curricular: Theatre, National Honor Society, Tri-M Music Honor Society, Champion City Scholars, Book Club, Skills USA, Green Team, H20 (help to others), CTC tour guide and CTC program ambassador

Claim to fame/honors: Springfield Community Award of Excellence (four years) and Honor Roll all throughout high school

Words you live by: "If Plan A fails, remember that you have 25 letters left!" -Unknown

Toughest challenge: My toughest challenge was making people forget I have Tourette Syndrome. I was diagnosed when I was 6 years old, but today, most people don't know l I have the disorder until I tell them. Overcoming the physical, emotional and mental roadblocks set by Tourettes was the toughest challenge I've faced so far. Now that I consider my struggle with Tourette Syndrome to be a thing of the past, I'm moving toward the biggest challenge yet - college.

Biggest influence: Myself

School-day rituals: Wake up, realize that I'm late and rush out the door without breakfast

What's on your bedroom walls: Cork boards holding movie tickets, wristbands from fairs, pictures of friends and more memories than my brain could ever remember

When I'm bored I like to … Talk to people

Favorite movie: "10 Things I Hate About You"

Person who would play you in a movie: Melissa McCarthy

Favorite TV show: How I Met Your Mother

Favorite musical artist: Kesha, Disturbed and Passenger

Favorite book: Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

Favorite home-cooked meal: Gnocchi

Favorite restaurant: Hot Head Burritos

Whose mind would you like to read: My boyfriend's

Talent you'd like to have: I'd love to be able to do the eyebrow wiggle thing.

Favorite school subject: Dental

Something in the world I'd like to change: Communication. If everyone would listen to understand and not just to include their two cents, I think everyone would get along better.

Favorite high school moment: Participating in the musical Hairspray at Springfield High my freshman year

Favorite junk food: Gummy life savers

Best thing about high school: Learning how fast things can change

About the Author