This Week's Senior: Edgar Ruan

Edgar Ruan is a senior at Wheaton North High School. He also attends the Technology Center of DuPage for electronics. Edgar is a member of the Stage Crew for theater performances and participated in the fall play and musical this year. He was on the football team his freshman and sophomore years. Edgar also directed a student one-act play, participated in Mr. Wheaton North, Club Environmental Rescue, and is a house speaker and tour-guide for TCD’s “Project Lead the Way.” Edgar  works as head bus boy at in downtown Wheaton. He plans to attend the College of DuPage in the fall, where he is thinking of majoring in electronic engineering technology, green technology, and/or robotic engineering.

Wheaton Patch: Why did you choose this college?

Edgar Ruan: COD is cheap and because of TCD I already have collage credit. I'll end up with about 16 credit hours and a basic electronics certificate, so I already have a background there. I plan on transferring to IIT after COD.  IIT has a program with COD so I can get my general credits at COD then transfer to IIT to finish my major at a low cost.

Patch: What is your favorite memory from this year so far?

Ruan: It's really hard to say, but I guess it would be the closing night for the musical. All the energy we had for it and how well it turned out, not only that but the after party was a blast as well.

 Patch: What’s your favorite memory from all of high school?

Ruan: Also hard, but the one that stands out and which I find funny happened during my sophomore year when we were running plays in football. People were messing them up, so coach was getting really angry and it was my turn to run the play and I messed it up – I was freaking out thinking coach would tare me to shreds, but he yelled out, "Gosh darn it, Edgar, if you weren't so [darn] lovable…" The whole team was laughing! The way it happened was so funny!

Patch: What is the best thing about being a senior?

Ruan: We get a lot of freedom and most of us have gotten close with the teachers. They really loosen up, so we have inside jokes and it just makes school a lot more pleasant.

Patch: What will you miss about high school?

Ruan: At first it will be not seeing my friends as much, but I feel it will also become the routine of it all and just the school and activities. It’s hard to explain.

Patch: What won’t you miss about high school?

Ruan: Homework, tests, quizzes, waking up at 5 am -- The things that we all hate.

Patch: What are your summer plans?

Ruan: As of now, not much has been planned. There is a camping trip in the works right now, but not much besides work, friends and having fun before college.

Patch: What is your favorite activity/club/sport that you participate in?

Ruan: Stage Crew would be the most fun because not only are most of my friends in Stage Crew, but I love working with my hands and working close with Mr.G -- not only with building but sometimes design. I always had a fun time in it and so many great memories, I’ll miss it greatly.

Patch: What is your advice for the next senior class?

Ruan: Do anything and everything you can. Join clubs and be involved -- make your last year the best. That's what I did this year and I'm so happy I did!

Patch: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Ruan: By that point I would hope that I've already begun my career and am in a good point to begin a family. It’s a fairly basic goal for life.

Patch: What will you miss most about Wheaton?

Ruan: The memories made in it. Can't really say there is anything specific about it, just in general… if that can be understood.

Patch: “When I visit home, the first thing I’ll do is...”

Ruan: Meet up with all my friends and family and catch up on everything missed.

Patch: What song will always remind you of your senior year?

Ruan: “A Person’s A Person, No Matter How Small” from Suessical the Musical [this year].

Patch: Favorite Wheaton hang-out?
Ruan: in downtown Wheaton.

Patch:  Favorite lunch item?
Ruan: Anything from Subway.

Patch: Favorite class you’ve taken so far?

Ruan: I love going to TCD for electronics. I love it not only because electronics are my passion, but just how the classes are run, it’s amazing. Everything is hands-on. You learn by doing, not just sitting at a desk and learning the theories, but really doing it and seeing it work in front of your eyes. You have something that is there to prove it, not just a grade, but the fruits of your labor.

Patch: How do you plan on keeping in touch with your high school friends?

Ruan: Texting, Facebook, visiting them, inviting them to visit, just trying to keep talking to them.

Patch: What is your goal for the end of the year? What do you hope to accomplish before graduation?

Ruan: To be as ready as I can be for college. To be better than I was when I started, to have far-passed what I was when I started high school.