The Westfield Theatre Arts Department has definitely seen its fair share of talented students in its six years of existence, but few can compare to the versatile abilities of Ariel Herman, a junior at the school. Not only is she a driven and focused theatre student, she is also gifted both academically and athletically.
In her three years at Westfield, Ariel has taken rigorous academic courses, including several AP classes, and has excelled in Japanese. And before turning her full extra-curricular attention to theatre arts, Ariel used to run track for Westfield. While Centreville High School is actually her base school, it was the presence of the Japanese language program that drew Ariel to Westfield and currently allows her to be pupil placed in the school. Ariel is in the Japanese Honor Society, and is also an English Honor Society officer, as well as an active member of the Thespian Honor Society. Ariel has also acted in several Westfield shows portraying significant characters, including Rheba in You Can't Take It With You; Sam Craig in Our Town; and Puck in A Midsummer Night's Dream. She is also currently playing the part of Ariel in William Shakespeare's The Tempest.
As if all this weren't enough, Ariel also holds a steady job at American Eagle clothing store, working both nights and weekends. "I have to have a job to pay for the gas to get me to school everyday," Ariel says. "It's a vicious cycle, but its one that I enjoy." This unwavering dedication to both academics and extra-curricular activities can be a little overwhelming at times, but Ariel wouldn't want it any other way.