Experiencing the diverse nature of the student body is Richie Andersen’s favorite thing about being an MSMS student. Richie likes how interesting conversations arise from different perspectives and backgrounds.

“I love talking to people, you know. When I can actually have an interesting conversation with somebody, that makes me happy, and I find a lot of that here.”

Richie can add his own voice to the dialogue of diversity at MSMS. Born in Bullhead City, Arizona, Richie moved to Waynesboro, MS, in the fourth grade and previously attended Wayne Academy. He has fond memories of his home back in Arizona, including participating in the Boys and Girls Club with his older sister and visiting his family in New Mexico. Richie’s favorite color, turquoise, arises from one of these family visits. He recalls the appearance of silverware in the home of his New Mexican relatives.

“I had family in New Mexico, and the prettiest thing antique wise in that area was turquoise on silver plates, there would be turquoise embedded in it. With that turquoise, it’s one of the prettiest things I’ve seen by far.”

Richie has a wide variety of interests, but his favorite pastime is basketball. His favorite food is penne pasta with pesto seasoning and Parmesan cheese, and in the past, he’s had two Great Pyrenees dogs. He is a fan of science fiction novels and some select fantasy novels, and his favorites include “Eragon” by Christopher Paolini and “Ender’s Game” by Orson Scott Card.

Richie described his musical tastes as a sort of “folky alternative.” “It’s more of like a singer-songwriter alternative that’s, like, slow and the lyrics actually mean something.”

Richie made the decision to come to MSMS because of all the opportunities available at the school that he cannot experience anywhere else. He says he enjoys the feeling of taking on responsibility and being on the road of becoming more independent.

“It’s like a fresh start. I feel myself coming out more as a person, and I’m also proud of that.”

Richie is very involved in clubs and organizations at the school. He is most invested in intramural basketball; soccer, robotics and engineering; community organizations such as SEAL, SADD, and Do Something; Voices in Harmony; Interfaith Dialogue; Model Security Council; and FBLA. He is also an MSMS Senator for third floor Frazer and is a member of the Blu Knights step team. He names U.S. History Tales from the Crypt as his favorite class.

“Mr. Yarborough has a sense of humor that I need in my life; it brightens up my day. He’s my third period, and so maybe first or second I’ll be really tired or kinda gloomy, but I walk in there and it’s immediately brightened up.”

At the close of the first nine weeks, Richie found it slightly difficult to sum up his experiences so far, but is excited and exhilarated for the future and for the lasting connections he wants to make at MSMS.

“I’m gonna say it’s been a rollercoaster of not only emotions, but everything: challenges, situations. I’ve been put in situations in the past nine weeks that I’ve never even thought of before this. I’m excited to see what lasting relationship I make while I’m up here, because I feel like that’s honestly the most important thing. The people you meet and you keep in touch with after this is so important. I can’t emphasize that enough.”