Creative, thoughtful, and reliable senior Blythe Kratzer will be making her way to Lehigh University and majoring in business management. Kratzer was immersed in various Slater music programs, clubs, and events during her time at Bangor.

What are your favorite classes?

My two favorite classes were astronomy and honors biology. Taking biology my freshman year gave me the opportunity to experience a higher-level course while also enjoying what I was learning. Mr. Hachtman made class fun in general! I am also just fascinated by everything that happens outside of our planet, so learning about astronomy from Mr. Arnhold was wonderful too.

What do you hope to study? 

After high school, I will be attending Lehigh University to receive a degree in business management, with hopes of one day opening my own bakery. I love to cook and bake, so culinary education has also been a thought.

Describe your ideal life 10 years from now.

Ideally, I will be living in my own space, whether a house or an apartment, with a cat or two. I hope to be operating my bakery by then and waking up every day to follow my passions. In the next ten years I would also like to begin an Etsy shop, so hopefully that will be functioning by then!

What is your best high school memory?

My favorite high school memory was participating in the 2022 Freddy Awards with the other cast and crew members of our show, “Les Miserables.” We won the award for best show, and that will forever live as one of the most exciting and heartwarming experiences from my high school career. It was so amazing to see the connection between our cast, crew, and directors, and feel the love and support from the community that night.

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

Journey. Some good mellow moments with a few high notes and exciting points in between.

If there were a movie made about your high school days, what would be the title and which actor would play your part?

I am not sure on a title, but I would want Winona Ryder to play me without a doubt. I feel like she could pull off my quirks flawlessly.

Which events will you miss the most and why?

I will miss competing with the Envirothon team. This year was the first and last time I was able to do so, and it was so much fun. Mr. Hachtman and Mr. Thomas have always been so supportive in pushing me to succeed with the team, and I was finally given the chance to do so this year. I will also miss the band and of course, Mr. Horne. Mr. Di Minico knows how to put on a great show, so I will definitely miss being the sound board operator the most.

Who is your biggest mentor?

Shoutout to Mrs. Rabbat! She has provided me with one of the safest and most comforting places to talk and feel through all the ups and downs of high school, especially within the past two years.

What is your favorite quote to live by?

“You have survived 100% of your worst days.”

Mental health is so important, and being okay with your failures is even more so. It’s been tough to handle grades or performances that weren’t up to my personal standards, and some days just proved to be too difficult to even show up to school. However, I constantly reminded myself that one bad day does not define me or my future, and that every one of us has succeeded this far. We have all beaten the worst of our days. In the coming years, some days, weeks, or months will get more difficult, but I can trust in the fact that I have pushed through to this point in my life with success.

Who will you remember most in Bangor?

Shoutout to Emma, Alexa, and Lizzy. You guys are the real ones! Thank you for making the past 6+ years bearable (and quite exciting).

What activities have you done throughout your high school career?

I have been involved in Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Pep Band, Marching Band, Literary Magazine, Ecology Club, Envirothon, and Musical Theatre.

Which of these activities is your favorite and why? 

I have to give my love to band in general. That includes Concert, Symphonic, Pep, and Marching Band. The French Horn has taught me so much about myself the past 9 years, and so have the band members around me. I’ve grown up performing with them and I feel we are all connected on some level because of it. You all have given me confidence and a better understanding of music and my instrument. Thank you for the constant love and support. I will carry it with me and my future endeavors with the French Horn!