Every Friday, a lucky freshman is selected to be featured on The Highlander Online. Each freshman is interviewed in order for students to get to know this year’s newest Mighty Highlanders. This week’s pick is Katie McCarthy, a world traveler and actor.

What do you look forward to in your next four years at Homestead?
I really look forward to meeting new people at Homestead. I know that the response is probably the most generic one, but it’s true! I’m looking forward to creating new friendships and strengthening the ones I already have.

What is your favorite memory?
When I around 8 years old, my grandma and I went to a petting zoo in a small little village in southern Germany. During the car ride there we passed many farms, so I thought the petting zoo would be full of cows and sheep, but I was totally wrong. Peacocks freely roamed around with goats; exotic and furry animals were all over the place. I walked around for hours without getting bored. After being pecked at by an ostrich, I stumbled upon a small wooden hutch. I opened the door and walked through to the best part of the zoo-the kangaroo area. There, joeys were jumping all around. I remember sitting down on a rock and having three or four kangaroos surround me. One even climbed on my lap and licked my face. The joeys were soft, but dangerous. When another person entered the area, the joey jumped off my lap and kicked me in the process. I left the kangaroo exhibit, only to be chased by the same ostrich that had pecked me earlier.

What are the benefits of having an older sibling at school?
Now that my sister (Sarah, senior) and I are in the same school again, I see many benefits of having an older sibling. To start, she can drive; she drives me to school, to clubs, to meetings, etc. Also, she’s already had many of my teachers and has been in all my classes, so she gives me helpful tips in each area. Another advantage is that I now know a lot more people than I would without her. Her friends are now my friends.

What are your favorite activities/sports?
I’m a huge fan of Drama Club. Everyone involved in the club is welcoming, friendly, outgoing and loving. Being in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland encouraged me to join the group, and I’m really glad I did. Out of the clubs and sports that I’m a part of, I have to say that Drama Club may be one of my favorites. I also really enjoyed marching band. Playing fun music with enjoyable people is great. During some of our halftime performances, I was freezing, but hot chocolate and my squad kept me warm and laughing.

What is a goal that you want to achieve in high school?
Throughout my time in high school, I hope to travel abroad. The location doesn’t really concern me (as long as it’s warmer than Wisconsin), but I know that the experience would be phenomenal. If I could pick where I would study abroad, I would choose to travel to Malta, a small country in the Mediterranean Sea.

What are you involved in/plan to be involved in at HHS?
Right now, I am a member of Student Council, GEMS, Latin Club and jazz band. I’m also the secretary of Drama Club. I plan to join Best Buddies and AFS Club next year.

What has been your favorite vacation destination?
My three favorite places I’ve traveled to would be Germany, Haiti and
Switzerland.