Teens Unplugged: 4 Sedona High Schoolers Share Their Favorite After-School Adventures

According to the 2020 U.S. Census, there are over 500 high school-aged students in Sedona and Village of Oak Creek, primarily enrolled at Sedona Red Rock High School (SRRHS). While many of these students are recognized for their academic and athletic achievements, a pressing question remains: What do they engage in outside of school hours?

Nic McAtee, a senior at SRRHS, consistently strives for excellence academically, achieving honor roll status multiple times while tackling challenging courses such as Advanced Placement calculus. Beyond his impressive academic record, McAtee is an outdoors enthusiast.

“I sail, I spearfish, I go offroading, and I ice ski in the winter,” he remarked. Mountain biking, however, stands out as his favorite pastime. It allows him to immerse himself in nature while maintaining fitness. “You meet diverse people, and hitting jumps while riding provides a unique thrill,” he explained.

Despite no longer being part of the Sedona School Mountain Bike Club, McAtee frequents his favorite trail, Hiline Trail, known for its challenging and lengthy terrain. He acknowledges that mountain biking presents a mix of enjoyment and difficulty, especially when navigating Sedona’s tough landscape.

Shifting focus, junior Ari Tedrick dedicates much of his time to sports. Originally a basketball player and cross-country runner, he has transitioned to pole vaulting with the SRRHS track and field team. Tedrick has been vaulting since freshman year but began competing last year. The sport appealed to him due to its smaller participant pool, offering a more personal experience.

“Pole vaulting challenges me and fosters personal growth,” he shared. Yet, the journey hasn’t been smooth. Tedrick has faced various injuries, including a concussion and multiple sprains, which he regards as significant hurdles. These challenges have instilled perseverance in him, lessons he applies both academically and in his personal life.

Melle Glatt, a sophomore, balances her academic ambitions with a passion for ballet, training for a decade at the Sedona Dance Academy. Glatt maintains a 4.0 GPA and holds a leadership position as sophomore class president in the student council. She finds ballet a rich and expressive medium to channel her emotions and creativity.

“Ballet offers so many styles and forms,” Glatt described, referring to the contrast between pointe and flat techniques. Although she enjoys the art form, the physical demands can be taxing, leaving her sore after practices.

Fellow junior Lotus Flores combines her academic pursuits with artistry, particularly through violin. Playing since the first grade, she embraces the instrument’s potential for solace and social connectivity. Flores actively seeks improvement through weekly private lessons, hoping to continue her musical journey beyond high school.

“Mastering the violin requires meticulous practice,” she noted. “Collaboration can be challenging, but creating beautiful music together is immensely rewarding.”

These students exemplify the blend of academic commitment and diverse interests outside of the classroom, shaping a vibrant snapshot of youth culture in the Sedona area.

Yonas Rahman is a senior intern at Sedona Red Rock High School, supported by a grant from the Arizona Media Association and Arizona Local News Foundation.