A Curious Cross-Examination of McCune McCornack

Inge Hoogerhuis reached out to the Pigeon Press last month with the idea that we start a new feature where we “ask a student or teacher some cool questions” to spotlight the wonderful community we have at the school. The staff took the idea and ran, coming up with 20 Northwest Academy-style questions. This week we are featuring senior McCune McCornack.

1. How did you parents choose your name?

My parents wanted a family name, but also wanted it to be unique. McCune had been a last name in the family which also was a middle name for a while and then it was elevated to a first name.

2. What’s the most interesting dream you’ve had?

It’s weird because I don’t remember basically all of my dreams. The most interesting one I’ve had was probably about a half a year ago. I was in a white space, just, infinite. I started to create shapes in that space which then turned into origami-like structures. I don’t know why, but I’ve always wanted to tap into that again.

3. Do you think you’re an introvert or an extrovert? Why?

Extrovert, I’m highly social and like conversation.

4. What’s the worst (least effective) way you’ve tried to cope with quarantine?

Eat all the wrong food, pizza, ice cream, chips…

5. What was your closest call with death?

Last ski season I was with my dad and we were at the top of A-zone which is a double black diamond expert run and I decided to hike up the ridge to get a better run. I was about to stop and put my skis back on when I slipped and tumbled down the slope about a hundred yards or so. I was able to stop myself and start to hike up to get my fallen gear. As I was hiking up my foot went through the snow and then I sank. Feet dangling, arms stretched into a T-pose I was literally in the opening of a covered crevasse. I hung there for 20 minutes, all my body weight on my two arms. I didn’t know how deep it was, what the landing would be like, if I would get out…etc. Luckily I was heard because that whole time I was screaming for help. Someone had heard me and was able to hoist me out and I looked back into the crevasse and all I saw was a black abyss and an ice wall.

6. What/who has influenced you the most in your life and why?

I feel like Kurt Cobain has influenced me the most through his music. It is so raw and powerful. I’ve been listening to him since I was five so yeah, he really has influenced me.

7. What is your dream job?

I honestly don’t know, I know that I would want to be an artist on the side, but don’t really know my dream job yet.

8. What is an object you will keep your entire life and why?

My early origami, the reason is it will remind me where I started with the hobby and then in future times how it has evolved.

9. If anything, what about you has changed during your time at NWA?

Definitely how hard I work on my assignments, always doing my best on each one.

10. If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

To be able to create any object I think of in my head to reality in an instant.

11. If you had to bring one comically large or comically small item to an abandoned island, what would it be and why?

A giant peanut butter jar filled, peanut butter is my favorite snack and condiment and also my weakness.

12. What’s your worst fear?

Being wrong about what’s on the other side of life.

13. What gives your life meaning?

Art and creativity.

14. If you could have any famous dead person as the president of the USA, who would it be and why?

John Lewis, one because he was such a smart and amazing person, and two, because he had a great political background and knows how to bring justice to those who need it.

15. With 15 minutes until nuclear annihilation, what snack would you want to be your last?

The New Seasons Lime Tortilla Chips!!!

16. What’s your biggest kitchen screw-up?

Probably when I forgot I had bacon on the stove and the fat burnt into the pan and it smelled really bad, it all went into the compost.

17. What’s the worst injury you’ve had? What happened?

My avulsion fracture in my right ankle. I was playing soccer at the time and went up for a header and landed wrong and broke my ankle.

18. What’s something most people disagree with you about?

How flawed America is as a society and as a country.

19. What’s your favorite type of bad weather and why?

Cold yet dry day, because I like the cold, but also because it makes me be able to wear long pants, jeans and other warm clothes (I don’t really like shorts).

20. What’s the most useless talent you have?

I can move my ears and scalp back and forth.