By Sarah Jakel
McKenzie Reiher (17) is not just the average student that roams the halls of Eaton High School every day. There are many activities she takes on in her daily life to keep her busy. Most people in Eaton know her because of her running ability but that is not the only thing that she participates in. One little known fact about her is that she is not only learning Spanish but American Sign Language too at the same time.
Reiher said, “I am involved in track, theatre and American Sign Language at Aims.” Reiher doesn’t have much free time but she enjoys every hectic moment of her day. Her schedule looks a bit different every day of the week. Reiher said, “There are those times that I have school with ASL directly after followed by a workout or track and theatre. It is really busy but it is worth it and I’m sure there are others out there who are much busier.”
She couldn’t choose between the activities that she is involved in. Reiher said, “ I couldn’t really choose one over the other because it is all something that I am passionate about and choosing would be hard. I love everything I do for different reasons.”
She attends the college class for ASL at Aims Community College. Reiher said, “I have college class every Tuesday and Thursday followed by a workout which will turn into track practice once track begins.” She found her passion for this language in an interesting way. Reiher said, “Well it’s really weird actually. About a year and a half ago I started watching this tv show called Switched at Birth and that is where I saw it.” Before she saw the show, she had seen her cousin and aunt but she had never seen it in full conversation until then. Suzy Schott is Reiher’s best friend’s mother. Suzy is fluent in Sign Language. Reiher said, “I naturally became curious about it and borrowed some books from Suzy Schott and started learning.” From that point on she began to teach herself sign language. The thing that helped her most was signing songs. She wanted to do more than just learning from a book. Reiher said, “I always wanted to take the class to say that I really know how to do it with grammar and proper ASL. Here I am signing basically all the time.”
Athletics are a huge part of Reiher’s everyday life. Reiher said, “Every other day of the week I workout after school followed by theatre practice.” Her school year starts off with cross country. She then has a brief off season during the winter months before track starts up again.
Theatre is another passion that Reiher can not live without. Reiher said that when it comes to theatre Kendra Hixon is her biggest help. Hixon said, “She’s a great and hard worker.” Reiher had a role in the high school’s last play called Horror High. She was the devious Evelyn. She will also take part in the upcoming musical, The Sound of Music as character Sister Margaretta,one of the four main nuns. Hixon said, “She puts the same focus as she does everything else into theatre, but I feel like we get to see more of her silly side. I love watching her work hard, but yet let a little loose and be silly while she’s working with her cast or coming up with a character.” Overall Hixon has nothing but wonderful things to say about Reiher. Hixon said, “ Mac is awesome and such a fun, dedicated, hard working student.”
There isn’t a possibility that she would be able to do all that she does without the support from others. Her best friend of eight years, Abby Schott (17), supports her with all of her passions. Schott said, “I think that we both are always there for each other because we have been close for so long.” Reiher said, “With ASL a big supporter is Abby and her mom Suzy. Abby helps me study for class and her mom is fluent so she can help a lot. All of my teammates help me with running and my dad is one of my biggest supporters of my running.” Schott said, “She first learned some ASL from my mom and from there my mom has helped her now and then when she comes to my house.” Day after day, Reiher continues to pursue her ambitions.
