Dixon High School September Student of the Month: Cadyn Grafton

Cadyn Grafton, 17, of Dixon, is the Dixon High School September Student of the Month. He is the son of Becky and Bryan Grafton. His sister is Taylor Tetrick.

Favorite class: AP Statistics with Ryan Hoffman, because my class only had five students in it, which made for a very personal class setting.

Least-favorite class: I wouldn’t say that any class at Dixon was my least favorite. It really just depends on how much you’re able to make the class experience enjoyable.

Favorite teacher: Michelle Bally, because of the positivity and energy that she brings into the classroom. Also, having a discussion-driven class really adds to journalism and U.S. history. It’s the social aspect that really makes her stand out from the other teachers.

School activities in which you participate: I’ve ran cross-country and track and field all 4 years of high school. I was a member of Key Club as a freshman and as a senior, a member of student council all 4 years of high school and participated in math team for all 4 years at DHS. I was a BLIND (Building Lasting Impressions that Never Die) leader as an upperclassman, which is an organization that helps with creating bonds and aiding the transition for the freshman class into high school. I was a part of the Byron co-op swim team my sophomore year. As a junior, I worked on the Dixini Newspaper and the yearbook. I was a freshman mentor as an upperclassman, which was a group that helped the new class of freshmen become accustomed to the new environment at high school and offered tutoring to struggling students in a variety of subjects.

What will you do after high school? I want to pursue my academic career in engineering. I am undecided on my college.

What is something you learned in high school that you think you’ll never use? How to write a rhetorical essay under a time restraint (usually 45 minutes).

If you could change one thing about your school,what would it be? The number of AP classes that are offered at DHS. I would love to see classes like AP biology, AP physics, and AP computer science be added to the curriculum.

If you could create any new class at your school,what would it be? I think that DHS needs a family and consumer science class, because there is a skill set that is not taught in school that is extremely important to understand in adulthood (this class would cover basic culinary skills, personal and family financing, and public speaking as well as instilling important traits that help in a family setting).

What does it take to be a successful high school student? Hard work. The school system is designed to benefit students who persevere and put effort into everything they do, so those who take advantage of this are setting themselves up to achieve a lot.

How would you describe your group of friends? My group of friends has sprouted from distance running, so I would say that my friends are not only diligent teammates, but they’re also a tremendous influence into the person that I am today. Without the brotherhood that we developed, I don’t think that any of us would be as successful.

Who is your best friend? My 10-year-long best friend at DHS is Brock Drengenberg. We’ve been through basically everything together, and without him I really wouldn’t be able to say where I would be today. He’s the one who really got me to begin running, which is where all of my favorite memories have come from.

What do you do in your free time? I enjoy fishing and playing the piano, electric guitar, and acoustic guitar.

What kind of music are you listening to? I’ve been listening to a lot of early 2000s punk rock/pop and mainstream rap.

If you could go anywhere in the world for free, where would it be? I would go to Italy to visit the Colosseum and many of the other structures from the ancient world.

What is your favorite childhood memory? My trip to Cedar Point with Logan Griswold, Aidan Johnson, Collin Grady and Brain.

What is your life's philosophy? Find something that you are very passionate about and pursue that interest throughout your life. Bonus credits if that interest helps others in your community.

Do you have any pets? I have a cat, Lily, who is 14.

What would you do if you received $1 billion all of a sudden? I would host a worldwide scavenger hunt for the money, with the first person completing the challenge receiving all of the profits.

Favorites:

Food: Alfredo pasta or sirloin steak, medium rare

TV show: "Avatar: the Last Airbender"

Book: "A History of the American People"

Color: Purple