🌟Student Spotlight🌟
Senior Ryan Linder’s spotlight could focus on numerous things in which he excels. From academics to athletics to the fine arts, Ryan truly is a standout in everything he does! As a four-year member of the Park’s choir program, Linder started in the Concert Choir as a freshmen then earned his place as a Young Patriot member the last three years. As one of the top basses in the state of West Virginia, he has auditioned and been chosen for the West Virginia American Choral Directors Association Honor Choir three years running. Additionally, he has earned the Outstanding Freshman, Sophomore, and Junior awards for his achievements every year as part of the Patriot Choir.
Joyce Jingle, choir director, has high praises when she says, “He is a true leader in the choir. Besides being a gifted vocalist, he has worked hard to develop his skills in reading and understanding music. His work ethic and positive attitude make him a great role model."
Mr. Linder is part of the Wheeling Symphony Student Volunteer Program, Reap Counselors, Freshmen Mentors, and Wheeling Park Basketball Camp Counselors. He is also highly involved in the Radio/Television program at WPHS where he is a play-by-play and color broadcaster for the live broadcasts of football games and public address announcer for softball, baseball, basketball, soccer games and dance team events. He is also the anchor, a reporter, and a videographer for the “Patriot Connection.” In the sports realm, Ryan is a member of both the Park golf team and basketball team and participates on the varsity level.
When not doing all of these activities, Ryan is an academic phenom! He has participated in the Bethany College Math/Science Day, West Virginia Regional Science Bowl, SkillsUSA West Virginia State Leadership and Skills Conference where he placed first at Bethany and second in the bowl and conference. He has won the Stifel Award for three consecutive years while in high school which a feat few can say that have accomplished. Perhaps one of the most impressive honors he has earned is being named a semifinalist in the 2024 National Merit Scholarship Program.
Students named as semifinalists must be must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, write an essay, and earn high SAT or ACT scores. These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,140 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $28 million. Ryan will find out if he is a finalist in the spring.
“Ryan is an athlete, a scholar and a musician. I am sure that with this combination of skills that he has worked so hard to develop, he will go well beyond Wheeling Park High School continuing to change the world for the better," shared Mrs. Jingle when discussing Linder’s success in the future.
With an entire semester to go before Ryan graduates, we cannot wait to see what else he accomplishes as a Wheeling Park Patriot.
Wheeling Park High School
WPHS Patriot Choir
Wheeling Park Athletics