Inge Hoogerhuis reached out to the Pigeon Press 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 Liam Thraikill.
How did your parents choose your name?
My mom was the one who picked my name. She likes to say that one day she called me Liam and it just sounded right.
What’s the most interesting dream you’ve had?
I once dreamed that I was going down a hallway lined with all those doors from Monsters Inc. I could open each one and see the whole world behind it, but I could never go through.
Do you think you’re an introvert or an extrovert? Why?
I’m an introvert because at the end of the day I enjoy quiet and my own company
What’s the worst (least effective) way you’ve tried to cope with quarantine?
I’ve started browsing Craigslist looking at all the free pets, and all it does is make me want a dog.
What was your closest call with death?
When I was eight or nine I was climbing a tree and the branch I was standing on broke. By some miracle, I caught myself by the crook of my knee as I was falling and just kind of hung there by one leg, upside down, for a minute or two then went on, but if I hadn’t I would have fallen about 40 feet and landed on my neck.
What/who has influenced you the most in your life and why?
When I was little we lived next to a park and small forest, and I spent all my free time running around, building forts and exploring. I think that gave me a lot of appreciation for just being outside.
What is your dream job?
It changes all the time but right now I think I’d like to be a park ranger.
What is an object you will keep your entire life and why?
My grandma gave me a two-dollar bill and told me a story about the guy who gave it to her. She met him in a hospital waiting room and they started chatting. He said it had been his lucky charm and to be sure to keep it safe. Then they called my grandma in for her appointment, and when she came out she found him dead in his chair. I’m not sure how much of it is true, but either way, I have to keep the two-dollar bill now.
If anything, what about you has changed during your time at NWA?
I mean I’ve grown older. Four years is a lot when you’re a teenager.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
I’d want to fly.
If you had to bring one comically large or comically small item to an abandoned island, what would it be and why?
I’d bring a bounce house. Imagine how much better your island would be with a bounce house.
What’s your worst fear?
I hate the idea of any kind of parasite, but blood-sucking insects are the worst.
What gives your life meaning?
The unexpected.
If you could have any famous dead person as the president of the USA, who would it be and why?
Eugene Debs. I’d trust him. Does he count as famous?
With 15 minutes until nuclear annihilation, what snack would you want to be your last?
Probably pizza.
What’s your biggest kitchen screw-up?
I burn myself a lot, but I’ve never done anything truly terrible.
What’s the worst injury you’ve had? What happened?
When I was seven, I tripped on the edge of a swimming pool and broke my arm.
What’s something most people disagree with you about?
I think cheese is over-hyped.
What’s your favorite type of bad weather and why?
I love the way the air feels during summer thunderstorms.
What’s the most useless talent you have?
I can toast a perfect marshmallow.
