by: Siyona Singhal
Humor Editor

Despite a busy schedule, freshman Felix Nguyen makes sure to find time to explore new hobbies and interests.

Of Nguyen’s diverse course load, his favorite class is Clothing and Fashion Design. He explained that he was drawn to the class because, “in middle school, I really wanted to be a fashion designer.” However, after taking the class, Nguyen has serious doubts about his ability to make that dream a reality.

Outside of school, the freshman channels his creativity through journalism. He is part of a student-led opinion newsletter called Outspoken, which discusses events going on throughout the world. Nguyen found the newsletter recently and has loved “the creative liberty. We can write about pretty much anything, so it has been really fun.” One of Nguyen’s favorite articles detailed his criticism of the increasing fetishization and accessorization of the LGBTQ community, especially following the fame of shows like Heated Rivalry. His most recent feature comments on memetic warfare: “It’s coping through humor, and it undermines the severity of violence.”

Nguyen is also participating in the school musical, Hadestown. It is his first time participating in theater, but he is finding the experience to be immensely enjoyable. Despite not having experience in singing or dancing, Nguyen has found that the process of learning has been relatively smooth: “There are definitely some dances that I can improve on, but other than that, it’s been pretty chill.” In the musical, Nguyen will be a part of the ensemble, intending to portray what he described as a “shady, drug-dealing character.”

Recently, Nguyen has returned to two of his old hobbies: swimming and taekwondo. He swims for the YMCA Youth Club Team and enjoys the opportunity to exercise and be in the water. After taking a few years off, Nguyen is ecstatic about resuming his participation in the pool. Although Nguyen also took a break from taekwondo and now must start over from scratch,he is enjoying his rekindled hobby and hopes to see progress. He added, “You can get back to me when I’m a black belt.”

In addition to being an athlete, Nguyen has been a baker for as long as he can remember. Among everything he’s baked, a chocolate chip cookie recipe he discovered on TikTok a few years ago remains his all-time favorite creation. Nguyen’s baked goods range from cookies to decadent cinnamon rolls. Nguyen has always baked for fun, but he envisions that his hobby could one day evolve into a small business. For now, though, he is content providing his friends and family with copious amounts of sweet treats.

Through all of his escapades, Nguyen brings with him an illuminating mantra: “Audacity will take you much further than logic ever will.” From resuming his old athletic passions to diving into musical theater, this freshman certainly leads an audacious and diverse life. No matter what high school throws at him, Nguyen is ready to take on the world.