SENIOR SPOTLIGHT

SENIOR SPOTLIGHT: Joel Weikle — Hannan High School

by Delyssa Huffman, Point Pleasant Register

05.05.10 - 11:27 pm
ASHTON — It’s lights, camera, action for one senior at Hannan High School.

Joel Weikle, a member of the Class of 2010, has a love for theatre. And this passion has brought him many successful roles in high school plays.

This 18-year old first got involved in the theatre department through the instructor Donna Duke.

“Mrs. Duke needed some stage men for a play and so I volunteered to help,” Weikle said. “Then I got to see firsthand how much fun it was and I wanted to try acting.”

From playing roles as the Tin Man in the Wizard of Oz in 2008 to the Mad Hatter in Wonderland Rock in 2010, Weikle has enjoyed transforming into characters.

“Each year, the roles I played got more fun,” Weikle said, “but my favorite would be Mr. Collins in Pride and Prejudice.”

Weikle continued to say that during the 2009 play, he was able to have freedom with the character and completely flipped his roll into a creepy and mysterious Mr. Collins.

Throughout the three years of costume changes and makeup, Weikle says he has learned a lot about himself.

“I honestly think I have learned most of all that I have no idea what my personality is,” Weikle said. “I just enjoy portraying different roles and having a good time with it all.”

One of his favorite senior memories actually deals with a play.

Just recently, several Hannan theatre students presented a short snippet of their play to the Mason County Board of Education members, along with Superintendent Dr. William Capehart.

“I don’t think Dr. Capehart knew was to expect, but he took it really well,” Weikle said. “I think that has to one of my favorite memories; seeing the reaction of the board members.”

Weikle also is thinking about minoring in theatre, but says he really wants to focus on another interest in college.

Having already been accepted to Marshall Community and Technical College, Weikle will attend the school for three years and obtain his degree in radiology.

“Radiology really interests me. There is just so much great technology that allows you to see inside the human body,” Weikle said.

He continued to say that his ultimate goal is to help as many people as possible.

“I have even thought about becoming a doctor, but it all depends on where life takes me,” Weikle added.

But for now, life is taking Weikle through the rest of his senior year at HHS.

During his years spent as Wildcat, Weikle has enjoyed college classes as well as a journalism class.

As a reporter for the “Paw Print,” Weikle takes pictures and conducts interviews throughout the school to find out what’s going on with upcoming events. He also works on the yearbook.

“It’s a lot of fun,” Weikle said.

Weikle also is a former member of the band, where he played trumpet for three years.

“I really love playing music,” Weikle said. “We also had some really neat formations.”

Just recently Weikle got to perform along with his classmates during a concert where he was able to show off his piano skills.

“We really rocked the show,” Weikle said.

He continued to say that the instructor is very talented and that he is very proud of what he has learned from him in just two years.

The concert was performed by Hannan Jr/Sr High School’s band, Ashton Elementary School students and students from the guitar and piano class.

“We have so many talented kids, and the public got to see just what we are learning here at Hannan,” Weikle said.

Another memory that Weikle considers one of his favorites includes the Mountaineer Field Day that was held during Homecoming.

“We (seniors) didn’t win, but we had such a great time,” Weikle said.

He also added that Hannan has been a “great, small school.”

In his community, Weikle participates in 4-H in Putnam County. He has been a member for nearly 13 years and has raised market rabbits.

“It’s easier than raising pigs, but the judging is much harder,” Weikle said.

Weikle’s hobbies include reading, hanging out with friends, and imitating characters such as “Theodore” from Alvin and the Chipmunks.

He is the son of Jason and Cherry Weikle of Milton.

Students for Senior Spotlight are chosen from the three area high schools and are nominated by the school’s principals.