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Darius McGlown, 17, is Dixon High School’s February Student of the Month. His parents are Shayna Chinouth and Sly McGlown, and his siblings are Jazzarae McGlown, 18, and Mekhi McGlown, 13.
Favorite class: Whiteside Area Career Center's CEO (Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities) program, because it is oriented toward my future career goals, and provides a unique learning environment.
Least-favorite class: Statistics, because I enjoy traditional math classes, and it is far from that.
Favorite teacher: Lisa Guenther, accounting. She is extremely helpful, and always in a good mood.
School activities: Senior class secretary/treasurer and basketball.
Volunteer activities: I've volunteered at YMCA Camp Benson a few weeks in each of the past three summers.
Do you have a job? I work at Champs Sports Bar and Grill in Sterling on Sundays, and I just accepted a full-time position at the aforementioned summer camp.
How would you describe your group of friends? A diverse group of people who share similar interests and backgrounds with me, with whom I thoroughly enjoy spending time.
What will you do after high school? Go to the University of Illinois in Champaign for 4 years, major in business administration and management, and hopefully minor in entrepreneurship.
What is something you learned in high school that you think you will never use? I will probably never need to use photoelectron spectroscopy again, although it was fun to learn about.
What kind of music are you listening to? I listen to mainly rap music, but I like basically everything besides country.
Is there a celebrity whom you look like? I've been told many times that I look like Stephen Curry, the Golden State Warriors all-star player.
What's the one thing in your life you can't do without? My plush blanket, because it has been a necessity for me to sleep comfortably, ever since I got it 2 years ago.
What is your advice for surviving high school? Work hard in your classes, make friends who will stick with you, and manage your time well.
If you could change one thing about your school, what would it be? Definitely, it would be the physical building, so we could have air conditioning, and better aesthetics/functionality.
What scares you? Failure, because I put too much hard work into the things I do to fail.
If you could try any job for a day, what would it be? Skydiving instructor.
If you could go anywhere in the world for free, where would it be? The jungles of Africa, because I love tropical weather and seeing new things.
What is a good book you read recently? "Crucial Conversations," by multiple authors. The book was about what makes a conversation a crucial one, and how to get better at them. I found it really insightful, and learned a lot, which I liked.
What is your proudest moment? When I earned a 100 percent on an AP chemistry final, as I have never studied harder for a test in my life.
Who is your hero/role model? My dad, because of the example he sets by working hard every day.
What do you think your life will be like 10 years from now? I'll be living in my own house, with a decent managing job at a corporation, with a girlfriend/fiancee, but no kids yet.
Is there anything else you would want people to know about you? In my experience, I've found striving to be your best for the sake of yourself, and those around you to be the only motivation necessary in life.
Shout out to: Alejandro Aburto Rodriguez, my best friend for 10 years, for always doing the little things in life that make someone extraordinary.
What is your favorite ...
App? YouTube
Food? Steak
Game or activity? Basketball
Movie? "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" (1990)
TV show? "Grimm"
Sports team? Chicago Bulls