Student Profiles

“Everyone knows about President Theodore Roosevelt,” begins 5th grader Darrith’s report on America’s 26th president. “He was the one with the bushy mustache and the spectacles. But who was Theodore Roosevelt really?” And over the 29 pages that follow—yes, 29—Darrith will tell you.

Illuminating figures from history is just one of 10-year-old Darrith’s many talents. He also likes soccer and tennis, plays guitar in his own band (called Preface), is an avid reader (Eoin Coffer’s sci-fi novel The Supernaturalist was a recent favorite), and recently took 8th place with his BB&N team in a national chess tournament in Pittsburgh. In fact, with his many interests, Darrith shares something in common with Teddy R, who made his mark as a soldier, explorer, naturalist, and historian in addition to his accomplishments in politics.

“He was energetic and remained so his whole life,” Darrith writes, “jumping around and looking for something to do.” Now what 5th grader can’t relate to that?