After class ends and the bell rings, most students do homework, go to practice, or drive home. For Aidan Clarys, the list does not end there.
From playing football and wrestling to taking on the lead role in the musical, Clarys is a role model to younger students not only in the music department, but throughout the whole building.
“Aidan is not just talented, he is dedicated,” senior Austin Allen said. “His voice is mind blowing. He can hit incredible notes and is super accurate.”
Anyone can use their natural talent, but it takes a drive like Clarys’s to truly be great.
Clarys is not just hardworking, he is a genuine and kind person who cares about his peers just as much as his work. His genuinity encourages those around him attracts friendships wherever he goes.
“He is a good friend to a lot of people and has a lot of borderless friendships, he is a friendly human to be around,” said C. Allen.
The choir department prides it’s self in being a kind, caring and accepting community that prioritizes the friendships of the students in the classes. This community is a large part of why Clarys continued to be involved with the choir department and later take on more extracurricular activities in choir.
Some of his favorite memories are because of the friendships choir gave him and the opportunities that came along with them.
This fall, Clarys auditioned for the school musical, “42nd Street” earning him the lead role as Billy Locklyn. He had not been able to take on a large role in the musical in past years because of football. However, due to his labrum being torn, Clarys decided not to go out for football his senior year which opened up the opportunity to the musical.
Originally, Clarys was not planning on auditioning for the musical. However, Austin Allen brought up the idea of auditioning to Clarys as something that would be fun to do together.
“It was kind of like, if you do it, I’ll do it,” Clarys said.
Taking on the lead role with no acting experience, Clarys was forced completely out of his comfort zone. Though, he embraced the unknown and took the role head on.
“Aidan threw himself into that process unapologetically,” C. Allen said. “It was a combination of his spirit coming into it, but also his unceasing hard work.”
Clary’s passion and drive led him to beautifully preform a full two minute tap dance number with no dance experience, and put on a great production of 42nd Street.
“It was terrifying,” Clarys said. “You have hundreds of people watching you, and you have to be a different person.”
Clarys had trust and confidence through the whole process. It is no coincidence that the moment he took on more involvement in choir that he took on a large role that required a lot of confidence.
“Choir pushes you to talk to more people and become more comfortable with being uncomfortable,” Clarys said.
“He has helped our culture grow because he cares,” C. Allen said. “He is so gung-ho about the things he is involved in being as good as they can possibly be.”
Choir is a place where students are challenged and work together to reach a goal. Confidence and perseverance are able to be gained because of the work that gets put in, but also because of the culture C. Allen and her students have created.
“He cares 24/7,” C. Allen said. “He is focused, moving and encouraging.”
Clarys is the epitome of the values and beliefs of the choir department. His work ethic, personality and care for others is evident through his involvement in the musical, his daily interactions, and his dedication toward his activities.
