Just one of the many contenders in the race to win the class of 2008’s “Most Likely to Be Famous”, “Most Likely to be on a Reality Television Show”, and “Can be Heard Across the World”, Allen Reid is a very inspired young man, who is more than eager for the real world.

Allen, who can be heard down the halls, and maybe even down the street, has set very high goals for himself, for his college education, and for his future. Allen hopes to attend Buffalo State College, as a Public Relations major. His main goal is to start a program for under privileged children who come from broken homes, bad neighborhoods, and disruptive families. “Children need comfort,” Allen says when asked why he wants to start this program. “Children need to feel cared about." One can see Allen’s true character just by hearing these statements. Allen feels that with help from programs like the one he hopes to start, children can learn good verses bad, and how to make something of themselves. He believes the face of Buffalo can change. Violence can stop, and Buffalo can be a safe place for children of all ages.

As AJ (as most of us know him) comes closer and closer to graduation at the end of June, he gets more excited, and more anxious to dive into the real world. AJ appreciates daVinci for helping him feel prepared and ready for the real world. AJ feels he “doesn’t need to be dependent on teachers”. He is ready and well prepared for his independence. Looking back, AJ remembers his first day at daVinci. He says he “felt welcomed” and he “wasn’t afraid to be who he was”. What most of us do not know about AJ, is that he has attended several other high schools, some down south, and even Bennett High school in Buffalo. AJ says he was “over whelmed” at the other schools, and even though he thinks daVinci is a little too strict, he feels comfortable here.

While, AJ feels most welcome at daVinci, he thinks some things could help change daVinci for the better. He says the students need “more opportunities”, and that the students of daVinci are placed on a “pedestal”. AJ feels very strongly that the students and teachers at daVinci are good people, and that daVinci is an overall good school, but he also believes the students should have more “privileges”.

As senior year moves forth for Allen, his thirst for independence, college, and his future will only grow more and more. We all now know more about Mr. Reid, and we wish him the best in his endeavors, and wish him luck with his future and his hopes of being on a reality TV show…