Youth in Focus

by Richard A. Ross

An eye on the future

Weston Currey of Tri-Valley Intermediate School is a 12-year-old with a fine school record and some exciting plans for the future.

	TRR Photo by Richard A. Ross Weston Currey is a sixth grader at Tri-Valley Intermediate School.

GRAHAMSVILLE, NY — Meet Weston Currey, a sixth grader with a handle on the present and an eye on the future. Having become a Boy Scout at age eight, Weston has plans to one day become an Eagle Scout. Fancying himself an expert at cooking breakfast, he plans to attend a culinary school and hopes one day to travel around the world on a cruise ship working as a chef. These ambitious and unusual goals are indicative of a young person with confidence and initiative who figures to use his skills and interests to further himself and have fun in the process.

Preparing to meet one of Tri-Valley Intermediate School’s finest students, this reporter fully expected to hear about someone with good grades and fine character. Weston is, to be sure, an excellent student and a delight to talk to. In the words of Principal Mr. Robert Carle, “Weston is a great kid with a really good attitude who sets a great example for other students.” It didn’t take long to find out however, that Weston has even more going for him.

Easygoing and engaging, Weston freely responded to questions about himself, his family, school life and activities. A native of Grahamsville, Weston has attended Tri-Valley since kindergarten as have his older brothers Hank (15) and Glen (14). His dad Alfred works for UPS and his mom Shirley is a substitute teacher in the Rondout Valley schools. Science is Weston’s favorite subject in school. He likes the “hands-on” approach. He chuckles that it was really cool using a microscope in class to examine cheek cells.

Music is another favorite school activity. Back in fourth grade he took up the trumpet, which he plays in the school band and jazz band. The jazz band is preparing for an upcoming concert with a beach party theme. When asked if he practices at home, he smiled wryly and said, “sometimes.” Both of his brothers play instruments as well. Hank plays trombone and Glen plays guitar and piano.

Rounding out Weston’s school profile is his involvement with student council, which he first became involved in back in fifth grade. The council has succeeded in arranging for more sneaker nights, evenings when kids can do fun things at school.

School aside, Weston’s bright blue eyes sparkle when he talks about the Boy Scouts. A member of Troop 97 in Grahamsville, he loves the outdoors, especially camping and hiking. Those things coupled with his earnest desire to learn and achieve makes Scouting a perfect fit. He is approaching the Life Rank for which he will have to have five merit badges, two of which must be “white backs.” White back badges are earned for real-life skills such as lifesaving, including CPR. Aspiring to be an Eagle Scout someday, Weston will have to garner 20 of these white back badges and that’s not all.

Former Youth in Focus subject P.J. Meyer is a senior at Eldred who recently became an Eagle Scout. According to P.J., “the most difficult challenge involves leadership, organization and planning a project which the scout must design, supervise and implement.” No doubt when the time comes, Weston will be up to the task despite the fact that only two percent of the people in scouts ever attain the rank of Eagle Scout.

When it comes to sports, Weston says he enjoys AYSO soccer and swimming. To get to the town pool in summer, he just hops on his bike and heads on over for a swim.

In the fall Weston will be entering high school. He doesn’t seem the least bit nervous about it. After all, his brothers have already filled him in. Right now he describe his homework level as “reasonable,” but figures that attending high school will up the ante on how much time he will have to spend studying. Still, he seems unfazed by the prospect of starting high school. Clearly, he will approach it with the same confidence and energy that propelled him through elementary and intermediate school.

This week’s youth in focus seems to be slated for a life that is both meritorious in achievement and rich in experience.