Senior Goodbye: Nick Cundari

I’m graduating high school. Wow. Feels like just yesterday I was walking through the main entrance of RB for the first time, a wide eyed and bushy tailed freshman. My high school journey is no where close to how I expected it to be. But to be completely honest with you, I wouldn’t change a thing in my four years here.

A huge part of my high school career has been influenced by Clarion. I was first on staff my sophomore year, and had no idea what to expect. Sometimes everything would be quite laid back and relaxed, and other times it was hectic; editors running around trying to finish their pages for hard copy, Mr. Mancoff simultaneously proofreading four different stories. But all in all, my time on Clarion has been great, and I will definitely miss it next year.

Probably the biggest part of my high school career has to do with the RB football program. I played all four years of high school, and it was an experience like none other. My first full season on varsity was my junior year, and we had a painful 1-8 season. That offseason, with the hard work and determination of my teammates and coaches, we were able to bring Bulldog football back to the IHSA playoffs in for the first time since 2009. I will never forget when the packed crowd went wild when we clinched playoffs, in the last football game ever played at Shuey Stadium.

Now comes the point where I thank those that have helped me along the way. First and foremost, my parents were on me all throughout high school to do my best, and ironically it all worked just like they promised me it would. Just to name a few teachers: Mr. Mancoff of course for dealing with me all four years of high school, Mr. Monti for inspiring me to get involved with nature and always talking about rock and roll with me, and Mr. Geltner, for somehow making math fun for two years. I would also like to thank all of my football coaches, especially Coach Curtin, Coach Coleman, and Coach Turk, whom I believe I often spent more time with than my own family. Finally, thank you to all my friends for being generally awesome these past four years.

Go Bulldogs!