#s3 ct

[ambitionsource]

Now that you've gotten to know each other better what's something you really like about the other?

Jack: To be fair, it’s a bit pathetic that it took us about a decade of working together to get to know each other better.

Eric: Sometimes things take time. Rome wasn’t built in a day, you know.

Jack: That does not seem applicable to this situation.

Eric: Anyway, I can proudly say there are now many things I admire about Jackson Hunter. I like his preparedness, his tenacity, how dedicated he is to the school and our students. I like that he has quite a bit of cheek to go with his serious demeanor and just the right amount of grit.

Jack: Well.

Eric: But my favorite quality he possesses is his heart -- which is something I never would’ve said a year or so ago, which adheres to the knowing each other better caveat. Even if I couldn’t always see where he was coming from, I now know that everything Jack does, he does it from the heart. He’s doing it because he truly believes it’s the right thing to do, or what we all need, even if it’s not the easy choice or makes him unpopular as a result.

Jack: Wow. Well, thank you, Eric.

Eric: You are not nearly the unemotional wall I once thought you were.

Jack: I can say many things I admire about counselor Eric as well. I like his diplomacy, and his creative thinking. I appreciate his passion for the arts, and how helpful that is in mentoring our students. I like his somewhat dorky sense of humor --

Eric: Hey.

Jack: And his unwavering belief in people. But I think my favorite quality is how strong he is. After everything he juggled and dealt with last year, working with the A class... I know how hard that was on you, the things you carried on your shoulders. But you never gave up, you never backed away. You face every challenge head on, and the devotion and selflessness with which you dedicate your time and energy to other people has always been your most impressive quality. I know now that that doesn’t come easily, that you work hard to maintain it, and I respect it greatly. I hope you know.

Eric: ... well, now I do. Thank you, Jack. That means a lot. Especially coming from you.

Jack: You’re very welcome.

[ambitionsource]

Okay, I’ve taken just enough time out of my busy schedule to spend some time with you all. Let’s make it worth it.

Zay’s playlist

Introduce yourself.

Isaiah “Zay” Babineaux, A class senior, fresh off my official Off-Broadway debut

What are your biggest talents?

Dance is the quick answer, but it’s pretty universally accepted at this point that I’m a triple threat. I’m a good negotiator, a decent collaborator (though this depends on the other people involved), and I have to say I do a bang up job of dealing with unpleasant personalities. Also, I’m a relatively nice person, which feels like a miracle in this industry.

What has your experience at AAA been like the last three years?

All things considered, I would say good enough. I definitely think I’ve learned a lot, mainly in the areas of compromise, collaboration, and patience above all else. I’ve also gotten to spend basically every day doing what I love the most, and that can’t be understated. I’ve met some kickass people and made incredible friendships, which I know is nearly as important as the rehearsing, if not more. That being said, nothing is perfect… there are attitudes I could’ve done without, nepotism I could’ve avoided, and choices that I’m never going to be able to take back. Whether those choices were mistakes… I guess it’s still too soon to say.

What from the previous school year are you most proud of?

Outside AAA, getting the role of Riff in the Off-Broadway production of West Side Story that I spent the summer performing. In school, I guess winning prom king was cool, along with getting to perform at graduation, though I honestly don’t remember much about prom. That wasn’t what I was focused on. Oh, and getting to tell Miss Moore how I actually felt about her shitty favoritism was a major highlight.

What about the previous school year would you like to improve upon or change?

This year, I’m not letting myself get distracted. It’s all about me this time around. No distractions, no detours, no wasting my time. Every year I feel like I always let myself get caught up in other people’s bullshit… not this time. I’m working harder, doing more, and I’m not going to let anything get in my way.

What are you most excited about as a senior? Events, performances?

I’m intrigued to see how the school election goes, just because I know it’s guaranteed to be a shitshow. Either it’s going to be a snore because like the same three type of people run (Maya has already declared her intent to run, so I know I’m right about that), or it’s going to be chaotic as hell because some rando jumps in to mix things up. But the senior showdown is going to be fun too. We’re going to destroy Haverford and break their like six-year winning streak, or else I’m gonna die trying. And no, I don’t have personal bias. No idea why I would.

Who are you most excited to see when school is back in session?

Nigel. He spent most of the summer at this Shakespeare conservatory camp, and then he and his family went abroad to visit his cousins. And I was so busy with West Side, it’s like our schedules hardly lined up to actually hang out. I’m glad he got to come see me opening night though.

Who do you see as your biggest ally? Your biggest rival?

Riley, Yindra, and Nigel are always my biggest allies. They’re rock solid, I know they’ve got my back. If anything were to happen with us, that’s when I’d know I fucked up. As for rivals, I don’t really think anyone poses a serious threat at this point, but I do always keep an eye on Maya. We’re friends, sort of, but she’s unpredictable. Better to keep her close and avoid potential sneak attacks.

What are your college plans?

Definitely going to school for dance, applying to a bunch of programs and conservatories. But my dream program is the Turner Academy, a branch of the New York College of the Arts. It’s the best program in the state and consistently rated among the top three in the country. I’ve attended their shows and have had it on my radar basically since I was old enough to understand what my future really meant. I would do anything to get in there, and if I get the chance, I’m not going to screw it up.

[ambitionsource]

how would you describe your relationship with farkle? what’s the best memory you have with him? whats the most frustrating thing he’s done to you?

Man... that guy is so weird. He’s just baffling. Not even in a bad way, at least at this point, I just think about him and I’m like... how does your brain work? How does he function like that? I guess we’re opposite sides of the same coin, in some convoluted way. I would call us friends, but like, conditionally. He knows that if he goes on another diva spiral and almost explodes everything again, I will be the one to shoot him on sight. It’s kind of like we have an unspoken arrangement and I have a license to kill if necessary. For the good of the group.

The list of sleights in the last three years is not short, but honestly I don’t even know if most of my grievances against him are his fault. Like, okay, him having a diva meltdown and ruining the week we did Hamilton was on him, as well as the time in freshman year when he tossed my duffle bag down the trap door on the stage into the space under the pit (this was the same week he hid Nigel’s dance shoes in the ceiling tiles, so clearly he was going through something). But most of my annoyances, like his privilege and Miss Moore’s favoritism of him, weren’t things in his control. We share a very Hamilton and Burr-esque relationship, it’s true -- hence, again, why I might be the one who shoots him dead when all is said and done.

All of that aside, hanging out with him when we went to LA was pretty fun. And from what I could tell the brief times I saw him this summer, therapy is helping him -- he seems less likely to implode at any second in a fit of insanity. I’m interested to see how it is being back at school with him when he’s a little more emotionally stable.

[ambitionsource]

have you seen zay's show?

Sort of.

[ambitionsource]

Hi, everybody! Hope you’re all doing well. Feel free to stop by and say hi, or what have you.

Charlie’s playlist

Introduce yourself.

Charlie Gardner, former Adams student and about to be a senior at Haverford Preparatory Academy.

What are your biggest talents?

Um, I don’t know. I don’t think I necessarily have any, not the way other people do. I love dance, but I don’t think it’s what I was destined to do, not the way others I know are. I… yeah, I don’t know, ha ha.

What has your experience at AAA been like the last three years?

People assume that it must’ve been terrible because I transferred out, but it wasn’t at all. I loved Adams, and I learned so much while being there. There are things that happened there that… I don’t know who I would be now without it. Leaving didn’t have anything to do with that.

What from the previous school year are you most proud of?

I’m not sure. Nothing immediately comes to mind. Sometimes it all kind of feels like a blur.

What about the previous school year would you like to improve upon or change?

With my transfer, I’m hoping to focus on myself. There’s a lot to be improved in that regard, believe me. I never want to be the way I was last year again.

What are you most excited about as a senior? Events, performances?

Not much, but only because I don’t know what’s coming. I knew the traditions at AAA, but I’m not sure what Haverford has in store. And as for senior showdown… not really feeling very pumped about that eventual confrontation either.

Who are you most excited to see when school is back in session?

I don’t know anyone at Haverford yet, so… but I know Riley isn’t going to let me slip away too easily. I’m glad she’s so nosy, actually.

Who do you see as your biggest ally? Your biggest rival?

I really don’t think I register enough on anybody’s radar to be either of the above.

What are your college plans?

Don’t tell anybody this, because I’m not proud of it, but… I have absolutely no idea.

[ambitionsource]

are you gonna miss charlie this year?

It’s going to be weird without him, and Missy doesn’t deserve to be in his spot. He was my friend, and he was part of the A class.

But he clearly made his choice.

[ambitionsource]

zayby! king! favourite movie and favourite tv show?

Hey! Favorite movie (cool answer) is BlacKkKlansman, favorite movie (real answer) is Step Up. Favorite TV show (cool answer) is Schitt’s Creek, favorite TV show (real answer) is Dance Academy.

[ambitionsource]

favorite memory with riley? what do you think of her relationship with lucas?

I adore Riley, though we admittedly haven’t gotten to see as much of each other this summer due to her running with a new crew and me being so swamped with WSS stuff. We made time, don’t get me wrong, but it’s not quite the same as it is when we’re in school. I would say my favorite memory with her might be this summer, one of those times we set aside specific time together. She got us tickets to go check out this ballet showcase for my birthday, and it was super cool. She’s thoughtful, you know, really knows her friends. I’m happy to get to be one of them.

As for her relationship with Lucas... I mean... to each their own. I don’t get it at all, but at least she’s happy. Like, really happy, she has been glowing like all summer as far as I can tell. We all have our things... what matters to me is that he treats her decently, which appears to be the case, so I don’t have complaints. I was hesitant based on his behavior last year (and like, every moment before that), but he really is different around her. And I think her influence is helping, because he seems way more mellow this summer. But if any of that changes, like the minute it does, you can bet his white toast ass is gonna be hearing from me tout de suite.