Austin Kulp has been an active participant in Bangor’s art and music departments throughout his four years of school. He plans to take a gap year after graduating, but ultimately aims to attend Northampton Community College to pursue their veterinary technician program.

What three adjectives would your friends use to describe you?

I actually asked my friends for help with this one. The most common ones were funny, strong, and loyal.

What sports, clubs, organizations, jobs do you have and what are your positions in each of these activities?

Before quarantine happened, I was a part of art club. I don’t play a specific role, however when our unofficial club leader isn’t there he usually puts me and another friend in charge if there is a specific project at hand. Even though it is technically a class, I’m also in the tenor section of choir. On April 1st I was supposed to start a job at a new clothing store opening in Bangor, but that plan is currently paused until further notice.

What’s next for you? 

I plan to take a year off of school. I want to work and save up money for my own car and college. After that I want to go to Northampton Community College for their veterinary technician program. Once I’m done, or at least halfway done with college I’d like to start working at an animal hospital and rent an apartment.

Which friend or friends will you miss most from Bangor and why?

Honestly I’m going to miss Rafael Antunes and Layla Farrell the most. We have all had so so many great memories together. They are great people that have helped me through so many trials in my life. I am so lucky to have them in my life. Of course I plan to remain friends, but it won’t be the same considering I won’t be seeing them on an everyday basis. I will always remember the crazy things that Raf would do in school, especially dancing in heels at dances. Layla, my absolute best friend, has been there for me in every single way possible. She is my sister.

Which teacher influenced you most or who will you remember most from Bangor and why?

Oh this is a great question. A lot of teachers have influenced me in one way or another whether it be good or bad. Above all though, I’d have to say Mr. Di Minico. He has influenced me to be a better person for myself, and those around me. He has taught me to have confidence, and to believe that I can do whatever I set my mind to. He has created a family out of our choir. He is one of the few teachers in this school that cares deeply about his students, as if they were his own children. He respects us, and we respect him. Mr. Di Minico is such a funny, passionate, and genuine person. I will miss him deeply.

What is your best high school memory and why?

That is definitely a difficult question. There are many good ones but if I had to choose one, it would have to be this past Sadies dance. I got to spend it with all of my friends. We danced, sang along with the songs we knew, and at the end of the night I slept over my best friend’s house. My favorite particular moment is when my friend Raf put on his girlfriend’s heels and danced around. He managed to clear the dance floor and doing multiple cartwheels ending in a split. How he did this? I have no clue, but you best bet it was the most amusing thing to ever watch.

What is your worst high school memory and why?

Well, I won’t name names, but it was some of the kids. There were quite a few who made cruel comments about me being a transgender guy. It was hard to deal with sometimes because really hurt my confidence. I had to learn to brush it off though. If I let every little comment get to me I’d be a mess. Rude comments and discrimination is something I will deal with most likely my whole life, but I won’t let it knock me down. Just like I didn’t let it knock me down during high school.

Which band could play the soundtrack to your high school career and why?

It would be Yungblud. A lot of his songs preach about being yourself regardless of what anyone says. No matter if it’s your parents, friends, peers, strangers, it doesn’t matter. His songs also talk about mental illness, which I personally have struggled with. He sheds light to issues that I identify with, but in a way that says “you are perfect the way you are”. A song I’d include that isn’t by Yungblud is The Strays by Sleeping With Sirens. It’s a song about embracing that it’s okay to be misunderstood and different. That specific song helped me in a lot of ways.

If there were a movie made about your high school days, which actor would play your part and why?

To be truthful, I don’t watch a lot of movies or TV shows. With the actors I am aware of, I could not see them playing me. If I had to choose someone though it’d be Yungblud (Dominic Harrison). His style, personality, music, and music videos are all crazy, inspiring, and meaningful. If he were to play me in a movie I’d freak out.

When you arrive at school in the morning, where is the first place you want to go and why?

I wait by the door in the morning for my friends to get off the bus. Then we all walk and talk on our way to the breakfast cart so they can get something to eat. We usually arrive pretty early so we have time to chat before home room begins.

Where do you predict you’ll end up ten years from now and why?

Well I can see myself working my dream job as a veterinary technician at a hospital, as well as staying in touch with my closest friends. If I have a significant other by that time I’d hope to have started, or soon to be starting a family. Hopefully I will have a house, If not a big enough apartment. I also plan on having pets since I’m an animal lover.

Which event/events will you miss the most and why?

I will definitely miss the choir concerts. It was so rewarding to perform on stage after all the hard work put into practicing. It is unfortunate that I will be missing my last one, but I’m thankful I had the opportunity to be a part of any at all.

What is your favorite quote to live by and why?

My favorite quote to live by is “You are the artist of your own life, don’t hand the paintbrush to anyone else.” For me it means to be yourself, and to never let anyone else change that. I’ve gone through life with a lot of people telling me to change, or trying to sway how I live my life. All of these attempts have failed. I chose to not “hand the paintbrush to anyone else,” even if it might’ve been an easier solution. It is always so much better to live your own life and be happy with it.

What inspires you to be artistic?

Oh god that’s such a broad spectrum. However, if we go back to the root of where is started, it would be my thoughts and feelings. I tend to have a difficult time explaining how I feel verbally, especially when I was younger. Needless to say, I’m always fumbling over my words and looking for the right thing to say, or I have so much to say that I don’t know where to start. When that happens I draw to explain myself and get things off my chest whether it be good or bad.

What is your favorite thing to draw?

Definitely people with an anime-esque style. Usually these people have type of a spin. Maybe they aren’t completely human, have a mystical or morbid twist to them, but still human-like.

What is your favorite type of music?

I like a lot of genres, music is extremely important to me. If I had to narrow it down it would be punk and rock.

If you could go anywhere, where would you go and why?

Probably Salem, Massachusetts. I’ve been there before but I loved it so much. The old Victorian houses were beautiful, the history was so interesting, all of the shops fit my taste, it’s like a dream for me. It was a beautiful place and I just felt at home. If I could live there one day I wouldn’t hesitate