Servite Scholar-Athlete of the Week
John Paul Beerer
Senior
Cross Country
GPA: 3.97
What is your favorite subject? Why? My favorite subject at Servite is Philosophy (HP Critical Reflections). I enjoy this topic immensely because it challenges my intellect and forces me to reason at a level higher than in any other class. Philosophy is very much intertwined with Theology and provides the logical basis for much of the Christian faith. Moreover, I’ve learned how to quickly form rational and logical arguments to support my beliefs and intelligently counter the opposition. If I could recommend one subject for everyone at Servite, it’s Philosophy hands down.
What teacher has most impacted you here at Servite? Why? Many faculty members and teachers hold special places in my heart at Servite, and it’s hard for me to single out any one of them. The teachers at Servite are exceptional, one of a kind, and will do anything to help you. Of all my awesome teachers who I’ve learned from over the years, I think Mrs. Amy Torres sticks out to me the most. Coming to Servite from a homeschooling background, I received a huge culture shock when I first started here as a freshman. Much of the Servite culture was foreign to me and I faced challenges early on. Mrs. Torres helped me adjust to the new setting by constantly encouraging me, always being there when I needed someone to talk to, and promoting my passion for creative writing. I discovered my love for classic literature in her HP English class, and have been an avid reader of similar books and short stories ever since. Most of all though, Mrs. Torres inspired me to continue being myself at Servite, in spite of what others might say or think, and pushed me to apply for the Priory program, in which I am thriving.
Advice for freshmen on how to balance the academic and athletic rigors at Servite: I know better than most how tough Servite can get, especially when you overload yourself. The best advise I can possibly give to freshmen for balancing athletics with academics is TIME MANAGEMENT! I’m the worst procrastinator around, and for a long time I would be starting my homework at 9:00 PM. Eventually, you’re forced to put away the distractions, get on top of assignments, and learn to do work efficiently. Why? Because your grades will start sinking, or you’ll loose substantial amounts of sleep, or both. If you learn to manage your time right now it will save you great pain in the future, trust me I know from experience. Whenever you have the oppurtunity to do homework, don’t wait, get it done so you can study and sleep later. Athletics is a crucial part in learning this lesson. When you’re in sports, or physical activity in general, you have less time to mess around, meaning the time outside of sports you do have will be easiar spent on homework and studying. I find that it’s easier to manage my time when I’m also doing a sport or an activiety after school. If you’re out of season, find something physical to do: jogging, hiking, biking, swimming, rock climbing, 5Ks, surfing, or even going to gym. I personally enjoy airsofting. What you do doesn’t matter, just do something. You may not realize it now, but this all contributes to building the invaluable skill of time managment.
What else are you involved in at Servite? Outside of my regular classes and cross country, I’m a Prior in the Priory Leadership Program, a member of the Academic Decathlon Team, and I compete with the Mock Trial / Speech and Debate team. Priory entails a regular Monday morning zero period each week, along with a lot of time spent preparing lesson plans for priory periods. Academic Decathalon requires a lot of time and dedication because you have to know a lot a of material off the top of your head, which of course requires hours of studying. The team meets weekly and we cover different subjects on any given day as they relate to the theme of our competion that year, which for this year is water. Mock Trial is similar, but with the added complexities of a courtroom and legal dynamics. When we compete we play one side of a legal case, either defense or prosecution, and we face another team from a different school in an immiation of a criminal trial. No matter if you’re a witness, an attorney, or a specialty role (bailiff or clerk) you must know your individual script and your character well enough to think on your feet during the trial.
Career Interest- Although I don’t have any specific career I’m dead set on pursuing, I am applying to nearly every Newman List school in the country as well as Hillsdale College. All of these are liberal arts schools, with a foundation in classical education and tradtional Christian values. I’m very talented in public speaking, and I gravitate towards literature and creative writing, so I feel these schools are the best to help form those passions and abilities into skills which are useful in the workforce. I feel God is calling me down a path where I will need these gifts and skills, so I’m confident in not knowing precisely what I want to do; but rather that need only trust God and He will provide.
Classes you’re currently taking- HP Critical Reflections, AP Environmental Science, Speech & Debate / Mock Trial, CP Calculus, CP Economics, AP English Literature
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