Louisville Magazine is Louisville's city magazine, covering Louisville people, lifestyles, politics, sports, restaurants, entertainment and homes. Includes a monthly calendar of events.
Issue link: https://loumag.epubxp.com/i/197412
Thomas Cooper 17, Trinity High, senior Most Likely To . . . set an Olympic record. As a sophomore, Thomas broke a 15-year-old state record in the 100-yard freestyle. Out of the pool, he carries a 3.95 GPA, which includes an A in Advanced Placement physics. He's being recruited by Alabama, Indiana, Louisville, Virginia Tech and Ohio State. How long have you been swimming? "Since I was fve. When I was nine, I took a two-year break to see if I still really wanted to do it." What was it like breaking the state record? "I was delirious. . . . I've grown a lot since then, so I need to get my time back down." How tall are you? "Six-foot-three and a half." Isn't that good for a swimmer, though? "Yea, Michael Phelps is 6-4. Between 6-3 and 6-5 is considered ideal." How much time do you spend in the pool each week? "About 25 hours between Trinity and the Triton Swimming club, which is year-round." Plans for college? "Pre-med, but that could change. I have two sisters in law school, so. . . ." What do you do for fun? "I'm a big reader, mostly science fction. I'm kind of a nerd." Any recommendations? "The Ender's Game, by Orson Scot Card." Romello Henderson 18, Pleasure Ridge Park High, senior Most Likely To … create. Romello participated in the Governor's School for the Arts last summer. He develops his own comics and has won in scholastic and other competitions. He is also passionate about dance, among many other things. At the interview, he had a graphic novel/comic that he's been working on — page after page of neat ink drawings and detailed dialogue. Can you tell us about your book? "The story is about a team that's trying to stop world violence and make everyone come together. The series is called 'Batles.'" Other art? "I did a portrait of my dad recently in pencil. He was sleeping." When do you draw? "During school — on my free time. I don't do it at home because I don't have an art table. I've been working on this book since freshman year." Are you self-taught? "Yes. My brother, Darius, who is 15, was taught everything. He knows the technical part of it. I learn a lot from him. He's good. (Romello quickly fnds Darius' self-portrait on phone.) I should be at his level." Do you want to be an artist? "I want to be a lot of things, actually." Like what? "OK, I want to be an architect. I want to be a graphic designer. I want to be an engineer. I want to be a dancer, because I love dancing. A visual artist. I want to be a cook. Oh, and I want to be an actor, because I always goof around with my friends." Achilles McDowell 5, Chenoweth Elementary, kindergarten Most Likely To … win over his audience. A self-taught expert on dinosaurs and birds, Achilles is also a budding thespian, having performed as Coalhouse Walker III in Ragtime at the Jewish Community Center. What do you like to do besides act? "Play football." So you're a bird expert. If a bird few in here, could you tell us what it was? "Yes. If it was blue, it'd probably be a bluejay." And dinosaurs, too, right? "My favorites are ichthyosaurus, T. rex and pterodactyls." What do you want to be when you grow up? "Army man, a teacher, a freman, an ambulance driver and a policeman." Do you want to do another play? "Maybe when I'm six." 11.13 LOUISVILLE MAGAZINE 57