Matthew Rakestraw dances as Mal Beineke to “ Crazier Than You ” during the Colquitt County High School production of “ The Addams Family .”
Matthew Rakestraw at Colquitt County High ’ s Honors Night on May 4 .
Matthew Rakestraw poses with his grandparents following his graduation from the Colony Bank Leadership Academy Nov . 13 , 2022 , in Savannah .
That audition led to a role in “ Singin ’ in the Rain .” Although he was an unnamed character , he had his own solo , Rakestraw said . From that point , he went on to secure lead roles in two other musicals , “ The School of Rock ,” and “ The Addams Family .” He plans to continue his vocal pursuits at Georgia Tech .
In addition to his love of learning and dedication to choir , Rakestraw rounds out his muti-faceted high school career with one other accomplishment he ’ s proud of – he ’ s been a member of cross-country since sixth grade .
Outside of the classroom , Rakestraw has one specific bragging right that very few – if any — high school seniors can claim : He ’ s digital pen pals with British politician Neil Kinnock , who led the British Labour Party from 1983 to 1992 .
While Rakestraw ’ s passion for global policies may lead him to forego a minor in political science in exchange for a double major in international affairs at Georgia Tech , he feels the circumstances under which he and Kinnock met were fortunate , yet unusual .
“ There was actually a person on Twitter who told me that [ Kinnock ] responds to emails . I basically just cold emailed him one day , and he surprisingly responded . I introduced myself and my interest in British politics , and I talked to him a bit about how I see the world ,” Rakestraw explained . “ He responded and we started a conversation , and we ’ ve been talking ever since .”
After about a year ’ s worth of corresponding via email and monthly Zoom sessions , the two will finally meet in person this summer in London .
There was one teacher -- Kristy Croft — who really stuck out to me , and she brought out so much from me that was sort of trapped inside . Ms . Croft took time to make sure she understood how I learned best .”
22 MoultrieScene JULY 2023