A growing scholar and athlete, Justice Wright (Class of ’27) is well known for his school spirit and leadership. While taking part in extracurriculars such as NHS and Rho Kappa, he also takes the chance to speak out for what is right, which was evident during last month’s ICE protest. Justice is a varsity baseball player who plays outfield and a JV boys volleyball player. He was also one of the students who initially advocated for the boys volleyball team to be brought back.
He is often known for his school spirit and positive attitude while also staying on top of his grades and remaining passionate about his sports. One big question that can be asked is, “How do you manage your time when it comes to sports, clubs, and academics?” His answer to that is, “It’s tough because of my advanced classes, but I do my best to make the most of my time. For example, if I’m waiting for the bus to head to a game, and I can finish an assignment I was working on, it relieves the load I would have after the game. It really comes down to getting your work done in class and prioritizing academics.”
When it comes to extracurriculars, why and how does he do it? “I do it because I like to stay active and have fun in my free time. I often look for clubs or sports I may be interested in, in hopes that I’ll find a new hobby or more motivation to get up each morning. I take pride in my extracurriculars because they shape who I am as a person.”
This is often the case with many student-athletes who are searching for the motivation to keep going strong in their academic careers because it is not easy balancing everything that is expected of them by the school system.
Looking into the future of his academics, he says for his senior year, “As a senior, I plan to continue taking advanced classes. Being one of the top students in the class, I want to continue displaying my academic prowess. I also want to get into a good college, so I plan to take classes that will prepare me and give me credits toward my college future.”
Now, with someone who is as academically driven as Justice, many would say his participation in the ICE protest was a risky decision. His response to that is, “I’d say it was one of my best decisions. I stood up for what I believed in and made sure that I, and the people who agreed with me, were heard and that our points were understood. I don’t mind having anything on my record, nor do I care what people think about me. I know what I did, and I’m owning it.”
When it comes to sports, his coach, Jack Zider, says this about Justice: “Justice is a fantastic teammate and starting left fielder. He works incredibly hard and has improved drastically since his freshman year. We love Justice.”
This is reflected in his answers to the next two questions: What have been the highlights of the year, and how would he describe his play as an outfielder?
“So far, my top highlights have to be bonding with my teammates and learning how to grow as a team. Bonding with the seniors, especially, has been priceless, knowing they’ll be gone next year.”
One thing about team sports is that without strong bonds, a team can struggle tremendously. Being a team player promotes communication and helps the team improve together.
“My fielding is something I take pride in and have been working on a lot over the past few years. This season, I’m starting in left field and have made numerous important plays in big situations, including diving catches on several occasions, saving runs and stopping runners from advancing.”
Now, when it comes to being a junior, the most common question is: What are your plans for next year as a senior? What are your goals?
“I plan to continue playing baseball and volleyball. I feel like I still have things to accomplish and more memories to make. I’m extremely excited to continue my sports and take on a bigger role as a senior.”
As an upperclassman, one of the most common questions you get is: What advice would you give to incoming freshmen?
“I would say make sure to have fun and enjoy being in school every day. I know it’s hard to do that with the stress put on us as students, but you shouldn’t take this time for granted because it only gets more stressful as you move forward. Use your friends and family to support you and keep you going.”
As an upperclassman myself, I know that support from family and friends can guide and strengthen your academic career. Most importantly, don’t forget to support yourself as well. Take pride in your accomplishments— you’ve earned it.
