Derek Larimer

OhioHealth Perseverance Award
Derek Larimer
Hamilton Township
Grade-point avg.: 3.84
$2,500
OhioHealth

Sports played: Football (4 years), basketball (4), baseball (3)

Academic highlights: Five-time academic all-league selection

Athletic highlights: captain of two varsity teams

College choice: Wilmington College (anticipated major: athletic training)

Photo location: In the baseball dugout at Hamilton Township

Home front: I live with my mother, Melinda, who stays at home to take care of my disabled sister; my father, James, a machinist at Columbus Machine Works; and my three sisters, Erica, 29; Rebecca, 26; and Jessie, 15.

Favorite subject: Science. I’ve always had an interest in learning about the different sciences, including physical, biology, chemistry and natural disasters. I credit my interest in science to my teachers who always found an exciting way to keep learning new things.

Least-favorite subject: English. I have been fortunate enough to have amazing English teachers, but it has never been my strongest subject. Because it has never come naturally to me, it challenges me and makes me a better student.

Prized possession: The pictures that I have of my grandparents and me. I value these over a lot of things because my dad’s side of the family isn’t big, and unfortunately, my grandparents died when I was young. Knowing that they got to meet me before their passing makes the photos even more sentimental to me.

Favorite book: “Wonder,” by R.J. Palacio. I read this for a school club called Battle of the Books in fifth grade but didn’t understand why I loved it until I got older. The main character, Auggie, reminds me of my disabled sister. Auggie has an extraordinary face that makes people look at him differently just like how my sister has a disability that makes people look at her differently. When I reread the book, I realized that Auggie is just like my sister and that she wants to be treated normally even if she doesn’t know it.

Favorite movie: I would have to say “42,” the Jackie Robinson story. It shows the strength and courage it took for Mr. Robinson to break the racial color barrier in Major League Baseball. Also, I think this movie accurately depicts a small part of the social injustice that Mr. Robinson faced, which led to him paving the way for many other African Americans players.

Favorite television shows: I’ve been watching a lot of good television shows on Netflix recently such as “All American,” “Riverdale,” “The Office” and “Grey’s Anatomy.” All of these shows have things that interest me such as sports, mystery, comedy and the medical field.

Favorite musicians: I would have to say Kid Cudi or Lewis Capaldi. It’s hard to just choose one because both artists are great. I listen to both of these artists before games because they soothe my nerves and keep me in a calm mindset.

Essential apps: Twitter never disappoints. I go on there to read about what is going on in the world, watch funny videos, and keep in touch with what my friends are doing.

Favorite home-cooked meal: My mom’s marzetti served with garlic bread is the best.

My cooking specialty: I took a cooking class my senior year and learned how to make peanut butter blossoms. They’re delicious, quick to make, and don’t require many ingredients!

Favorite restaurant: Texas Roadhouse has the best rolls I’ve ever had in my life.

Guilty pleasure: I like to listen to Elvis Presley’s greatest hits on occasion.

Proudest sports moments: Winning on my football senior night with my teammates and then doing it again during basketball season. The basketball senior night was more memorable because the atmosphere was so electric toward the end and we pulled out an upset win.

Sport I’d like to try someday: Golf is one of the only sports that I have yet to try.

Story behind my uniform number: I grew up idolizing Derek Jeter, so any sport I played I would try to get the No. 2.

Favorite athletes: My two favorites 

XX

right now are Mike Trout and Joe Burrow. I like Mike Trout because not only is he one of the game’s best, but he’s also humble and cares about his fans. It’s hard for professional players to make time for their fans. I like Joe Burrow because what he has overcome as a player is incredible and the feats he accomplished are truly remarkable. I also admire his confidence level.

Inspiration: My mom has been through a lot in her life and that she is able to keep moving forward amazes me. She’s never taken a step back, even when faced with terrible circumstances. Also, she puts her kids before herself and that is something that I’ve taken from her by putting others before myself.

Dream job: I would love to come back and work for Hamilton Township as their athletic trainer.

Place I’d like to travel: I would love to visit Greece.

Something most people don’t know about me: I like to read articles on just about anything.

Least-favorite household chore: I don’t really have one because the only things I’m asked to do around the house is mow the lawn, which I love to do; take out the trash, which is easy; and clean my room, which I do a decent job at.

Something I can’t get right no matter how hard I try: I still can’t land a backflip on a trampoline no matter how many videos I watch. When I practice the techniques from the videos I don’t get the desired result.

Words to leave by: “The moment you give up, is the moment you let someone else win.” — Kobe Bryant

By Ray Stein
rstein@dispatch.com