Spartan Scuttlebutt
Rheault is Spartan of the Month
By Greg Smith OAKMONT ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL

"I really enjoy helping people," said Sarah Rheault, Oakmont's Spartan of the Month for September.

Last year Rheault spent many hours tutoring a special needs student after the end of the school day.

"I helped him with math and history," she said. "It made me feel good when he got it."

But Rheault gained as much as she gave during her tutoring experience.

"He opened up to me and helped me understand how it felt to live with a disability," she said. "I felt good about myself that I helped someone and made a difference."

Rheault took the lesson she learned from tutoring and incorporated it into her career goals. Next year she hopes to study physical therapy at the University of Hartford or Westfield State College. Rheault's interest in health careers also grew out of her experience in Mrs. Roy's exercise physiology class.

"Mrs. Roy really inspired me to look into careers that involve sports and athletics," she explains.

It's no surprise that Rheault is looking ahead to a career in sports - she's a three-season athlete at Oakmont. Rheault has played varsity soccer for all four years and currently is one of the co-captains. She is also co-captain of the varsity basketball team. Rheault said that she plans to take it easy a bit this year in spring track.

"I'll run the 400-meter and throw the javelin," she explains, "but I think I'll retire from the long jump."

Rheault has served on Student Council for the past two years and played an important role in this year's opening activities, such as Freshman Orientation, Welcome Back Dance, and Student Leadership Day. However, when it came to Homecoming, Rheault took the lead. She was one of the emcees at the rally and took on the responsibility of planning the Homecoming Dance for more than 300 students.

"I really wanted everyone to have a good time," she said. "It was stressful, but I enjoyed every second of it. I guess I like being in charge."

Rheault, who is the daughter of Jamie and Laurie Rheault of Westminster, sees Oakmont as a great school and a positive place for young adults.

"People can be themselves here. Everyone pretty much gets along with each other and their teachers."

The positive school climate is due, in large part, to the positive qualities and contributions of students like our September Spartan of the Month - Sarah Rheault.