When it comes to cute dogs, junior Nina Rutzen’s spitz terrier mix is hard to top. Rutzen’s lock screen features her adorable companion, Colby, who could even melt the hearts of cat lovers.
“She’s currently 11 pounds, when we got her she was four and a half pounds,” Rutzen said.
In addition to spending time with her 16-week-old dog, Rutzen has many other passions. She is the vice president of Best Buddies, a club that promotes the inclusion of people with intellectual developmental disabilities (IDD) through one-to-one friendships between students with and without IDD.
“I joined Best Buddies because I’ve always been super passionate about including people in the community, and helping people in areas where they can’t help themselves,” Rutzen said.
Rutzen was a member of Best Buddies in middle school, and she made it a goal to become involved with the club in high school. Rutzen joined Best Buddies her freshman year and witnessed its impact firsthand.
“I found out that this club really did something for the community … and I was super passionate about it and wanted to help people in any way I could,” Rutzen said.
Now Rutzen is an integral part of our school’s Best Buddies chapter, serving as an officer for the second year.
Working for positive change definitely runs in the family. Rutzen’s dad has been on the United Nations panel and is a part of the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL). Rutzen considers her dad her biggest inspiration.
“Growing up he got food from food stamps and he would work seven days a week … and being Jewish he was isolated from the rest of the community, but now he’s a part of the most influential non-profit group and he does a bunch of amazing work … He really earned what he worked for,” Rutzen said.
Rutzen describes her family as hardworking, caring and open minded. She definitely takes after them as she embodies all of these traits.
Outside of school, Rutzen enjoys spending time with her friends, going to school football games, taking part in Best Buddies and participating in B’nai B’rith Youth Organization (BBYO), which is a Jewish youth group. In addition to enjoying the numerous activities she is involved in, Rutzen also values her free time. Her perfect day would involve much deserved relaxation.
“I just love staying in bed in my pajamas and watching Hulu or Netflix. That sounds like an amazing day,” Rutzen said.
The Sentry is fortunate to have Rutzen as a reporter for a second year. Best Buddies and our school are lucky to have someone so devoted to spreading the mission of inclusion.
Sophomore Sofie Dalton is passionate, hardworking and determined. This is Dalton’s second year on The Yorktown Sentry staff. She chose to participate in newspaper again this year because she loves writing.
“I got a lot of good responses on my articles — the editors, the seniors, everyone was super supportive and it’s a really fun class,” Dalton said.
This summer Dalton wrote an article that was published in a popular Arlington magazine. It was all about how Dalton lives a life without social media. She made note of the fact that parents would show this article to their kids in order to inspire them and get the message across. It is a good feeling for Dalton to be recognized and to be making a difference.
Dalton began writing in sixth grade when she wrote an essay for a contest called “The Book that Shaped me,” which is when she wrote about The Penderwicks which inspired her to want to became a writer. After winning the contest, she was told to read her essay at the National Book Festival in front of a large crowd.
“It was hard for me to get up on a stage and talk in front of a bunch of people… but I managed to get up and do it,” Dalton said.
Dalton loves to write, but she has never thought much about writing about herself. However, if given the chance to write an autobiography, she would call it Be Yourself, It’s All That Matters. This is due to the fact that Dalton loves how writing gives people the ability to express their thoughts on paper and influence others through their opinions.
When she is not writing, Dalton is out in the community helping little kids. This is one of her biggest passions, next to writing of course. One of her favorite experiences was last year when she taught Sunday School for first graders.
“I loved to see how excited and happy kids were to learn; I want them to stick with that,” Dalton said.
Another way Dalton gets involved in the community is through the Yorktown chapter of Best Buddies. This year she will be the secretary of the club. When asked about her biggest regret in life, she made note of the fact that she wished she had joined sooner. She loves being a part of the club and inspiring others in the community to make a big difference.
“I didn’t know that much about Best Buddies, but I really wished I would have gone sooner,” Dalton said.
Dalton is a sweet and caring person, but be careful to not get on her bad side. If she were to murder someone, she would use a gun.
“I’m not good with blood so I don’t think I’d be able to stab someone,” Dalton said.
Dalton is extremely fearful of planes. In fact, her biggest fear is being on a long flight and not having the capability to get off. Dalton also fears landing somewhere and having to wait on the plane for a long period of time before being able to walk off.
Dalton is extremely excited to continue on her path to becoming a writer and writing for The Sentry. She is an extremely caring and welcoming person, only adding positivity to the school environment.
