Today, I sat down with Freehold High School junior, Kate Wildman. Kate is a second-year staff member of The Colonial, a DECA officer, a part of the student council, and a cheerleader. Besides extracurricular activities, Kate loves the beach, hanging out with her friends, and reading.

Dani Pont: Hi Kate! How are you? 

Kate Wildman: Hi Dani! I’m good, I had a wonderful Thanksgiving break and I do not want to go back to school. 

DP: How has this school year been for you both academically and socially? 

KW: In terms of academics, this school year is a step up from Sophomore year. I was not expecting the year to be as difficult as it has been, but as it goes on I feel myself adjusting to the rigorous classes. Socially, I am seeing a lot of new faces in my classes which has given me the opportunity to branch out and make new friends. 

DP: How do you unwind and relax after a long day at school? 

KW: Recently, I have been eliminating my stress at the gym! It helps me focus after being in school for 7 hours and get in the right mindset before starting my homework. Also, I watch TV shows like Gilmore Girls and Gossip Girl. 

DP: Obviously this year is very different than your Freshman Year of high school, and Sophomore Year did not go as planned. Is there anything you would tell your Freshman Year self? 

KW: I would tell myself that it is okay to make mistakes, but make sure to focus on correcting the mistakes you made because that’s how you grow and improve as a person. 

DP: So, you are DECA’s rising Co-President. Tell me about that! 

KW: Right now I follow the lead of the current Presidents, who are both seniors, so I can better prepare myself for what will come next year. 

DP: What would you say to someone who is on the fence about joining DECA? 

KW: I would definitely tell them that it is a great club to be a part of. A lot of the student body is a part of DECA, making it an amazing way to get involved in the Boro community. Personally, DECA really helped with my public speaking. I learned how to comfortably interact with people in a professional environment. 

DP: You are also part of several other clubs, like the school’s newspaper. What made you decide to join The Colonial and return on staff this year? 

KW: I really like writing but I don’t get to do a lot of creative writing in my English classes, so I thought that joining The Colonial would be a great way to write about topics that interest me. I decided to come back on staff this year because I noticed how my abilities as a writer improved as I wrote more articles, and the staff is so warm and welcoming. 

DP: Is there anything about the rest of the school year that you are excited about?

KW: I think a lot of juniors, myself included, are very excited about Prom! Many of us have never been to prom, so this will be a new experience that will leave us with incredible memories.