TIGER OCTOBER 12, 2016
FEATURE
11
Personality Profiles:
From actors to analysts, Tiger showcases an array of SPHS’s finest
RITA MASTROMATTEO STORY ELIZABETH BOCK PHOTOGRAPH LUKE QUESADA
The athlete finds depth in food, family, and broadbased interests Sophomore Rita Mastromatteo comes from a long line of eclectics. Her family’s pursuits have varied from hand-crafting Neapolitan pizza to managing hotels. Her heritage and unique family dynamic have helped her realize her passions and taught her to explore new interests. The Mastromatteos travel to Vico Del Gargano, Italy to stay with family every two years. These trips have led to plenty of Italian influence on Mastromatteo’s life. Her father was raised in Italy and has spread his passion for Italian food through his local restaurant, Briganti. This, of course, has led to many leftover dinners from the restaurant for Mastromatteo and her family. But despite eating it nearly every night, she continues to enjoy her family’s native cuisine. Mastromatteo has grown up as the lone sister in the middle of five boys. With four out of the five brothers at home, the house is dominated by testosterone. Mastromatteo finds it difficult to exercise any control over her siblings.
“It gets loud,” Mastromatteo said. “There’s a lot of fighting. But it’s not bad having a lot of brothers. They keep me young.” In desperation to escape a primarily male household, Mastromatteo has always found comfort in the pool. She discovered her enthusiasm for swimming at a young age. Her father’s Italian family traditions had her in the water at age three, so she didn’t really have a choice in the matter. But now, 12 years later, she is still swimming. Being in the pool is a hobby for Mastromatteo, as she uses the quiet space underwater to escape her noisy household. She enjoyed being on the JV school swim team last Spring and plans to be on the squad again this year. “I joined very spontaneously,” Mastromatteo said. “My mom swam competitively when she was younger. She always talked about how fun it was, and it made me want to try it.” Mastromatteo plans to participate in Youth and Government and is currently in preseason training for the girls water polo team. Both of these activities are new to Mastromatteo, but she is excited to take part in each new endeavor. “I love trying new things,” Mastromatteo said. “I just think it’s a really great way to find yourself.”
LEON MONTEALEGRE Exploring science through every available medium STORY SAMMY PARK PHOTOGRAPH KEVIN HUANG
PASSIONATE SWIMMER Rita Mastromatteo can be found in the pool as often as on land.
Last year, Shia LaBeouf “Just Do It” meme became an overnight sensation. While other students were spreading the meme, senior Leon Montealegre was hard at work capitalizing on its popularity with a “Just Do It!” app. The finished product allows users to hear LaBeouf’s emphatic words with the click of a button. The app has now been downloaded by over 4,000 people, making his frame by frame examination of the video worth the effort. One of Leon’s catalysts for immersing himself in the world of science and technology was SPHS’ computer science teacher, Mr. Shorr. “Mr. Shorr is definitely the most influential person in my life,” Montealegre said. “He is really good at breaking my programs and finding issues that no one else seems to be able to find. But most importantly, he’s always been there for me when I struggle and talks to me like a friend.” Although Mr. Shorr has aided Montealegre with everything from computer science to physics, Montealegre has also helped Mr. Shorr. Montealegre is often in Mr. Shorr’s classroom during lunch and after school grading tests and helping people with questions they have about math, science, or computer science. Montealegre is part of the Coding Club, but he has recently expanded beyond the school in order to learn more about all types of science. He is constantly learning about different theories and phenomena in the scientific field through every available medium. He listens to a physics podcast called “The Titanium Physicist” while he walks to PCC every day to take Elementary Astronomy. Even though Montealegre is very STEM oriented, he also enjoys art and music. He has played the piano for five years, focusing on classical music and Beethoven, and taught himself the ukulele this past summer. Montealegre took his passion for computers and combined it with his love for art when he participated in a 3D animation class at the Pasadena Art Center. He thoroughly enjoys the art form and is able to utilize the skills he learned in projects for school.
MUSICIAN, CODER, AND ARTIST Leon Montealegre is creative in all aspects of life in and outside of school.
“Leon is different than most students because he knows what he wants to do with his life, learns quickly, and has the motivation and discipline to pursue intellectual challenges on his own time,” Shorr said.