Daniel Neault

Daniel Neault of Naples has been selected as the area Lions Clubs’ “Student of the Month” for January.

Each month, area Lions Clubs recognize a Lake Region High School senior who has excelled academically. The recipient is honored at a Lions’ dinner meeting and is presented a monetary award.

Parents: Anne Neault and the late Bob Neault.

Student organizations, sports teams, activities, hobbies: National Honor Society, Football, Ska Band, Drama Program, Band, Chorus.

What do you like most about school, why? I really enjoy what the community schools offer. I think that there isn’t really any other place a person can have the sense of pride, camaraderie or enthusiasm. Schools are more than just places to learn; they are more like microcosms, or incredible ecosystems apart from any other.

What is your biggest challenge in school? My biggest challenge in school would most likely be managing my time in an effective manner.

What is your favorite subject, and why? My favorite subject in a broad sense is social studies. I can’t narrow it down to just “government” or “Pre-WWI history.” All elements of social studies fascinate me, and I find them very easy to study and enjoy.

If you could change one thing about school, what would it be (and why)? I would push for more community outreach. I think there is much more schools can do for the community other than host sporting events or concerts or what have you. The students in school are creative and intelligent and they have a lot to offer to communities, whether it be community service or municipal government.

What characteristics do you believe a good teacher should possess? I believe a teacher should not only feel a duty to the subject they teach to teach it well, but also a duty to the students they are instructing.

What goals did you hope to achieve during your high school days? When I started high school, my goals were basically to pass, but most of my goals were protean. I think my most constant goal would be to succeed in school and to get the best of my education.

What do you hope to do in the future in terms of career, and why are you headed in that direction? I would eventually like to run a foreign nonprofit organization, preferably in the area of education. I’ve gone to Guatemala City with a group from the school and we volunteered at the Safe Passage school there. It really changed my life and made me want to help people, especially with their education, for the duration of my life.

What do you think it will take to be successful in the future? I think that a devotion to my own education will be a key to success. Another one would be involving myself with whatever community I find myself. The final thing I think that will help me succeed in the future would be the ability to adapt to any oncoming problems.

What lesson have you learned while at Lake Region High School that will help you in the future? I think I’ve learned my ability to adapt to situations was learned at Lake Region High School. It may have been an indirect lesson, but after having to deal with schedule changes for one day (on that day) to adjusting to new Academy arrangements from year to year. My fellow students and I have gone through many changes in previous years, not all of them have been appreciated, but some have been for the better.