CHS Student of the Month — Jacob Rosenbaum

Editor's Note: the Blade-Empire is beginning a new column that will feature Concordia High School's Student of the Month.

The first thing that strikes you about Jacob Rosenbaum, is that he is an articulate young man, well-spoken and thoughtful with his answers. He has an easygoing personality and a good sense of humor.
Rosenbaum grew up in Shawnee, Kansas. He was a city boy. He didn't move to Concordia until he was 12 years old, after his parents - Robb and Meredith - bought Funk Pharmacy.
"I didn't want to move," Rosenbaum said. "At first I was kind of salty about it. I enjoyed the KC area. Now I'm really glad we came to Concordia. I appreciate meeting all the new people here, and the opportunity to play sports."
Rosenbaum loves all sports. He participates in football and baseball, but basketball is his favorite. "You go out there and play non-stop. There's not a lot of intermissions. Football has a break after every play; baseball is a slow game. On the basketball court, you keep going."
Rosenbaum is also the executive treasurer of the CHS student council, involved with Panther Interact, and the Panther Leadership Council. Combine all that with being a three-sport athlete, and he doesn't have a lot of free time.
"When I get a break, I really like hanging out with friends and playing table-top games."
He's not talking about ping-pong.
"No," he said with a polite smile. "It's games like 'Dungeons & Dragons' and 'Warhammer 40K.'"
Rosenbaum likens 'Dungeons & Dragons' to acting. "You get to assume this different persona and explore a world that's not real life." He likes the tactical aspect of 'Warhammer 40,000.' "It's a war tactics game. You're fighting it out with another army."
Rosenbaum is enjoying his senior year at CHS. Knowing that his life will change dramatically once he leaves for college, he is cherishing the time he is able to spend with family and friends.
"The only thing I won't miss is watching Ivon Owen eat," he said with a laugh. Rosenbaum credits his close friends Owen and Jacob Williams with much of his positive outlook on life. "They're great leaders on and off the court. They push me to improve myself every day."
Rosenbaum plans on attending Kansas State University. "My dad thinks I should be a lawyer, because I like to argue."
For now, Rosenbaum wants to be a teacher. "I'd really like to teach History or English. Those are the two subjects I like the most. And teachers have been such positive role models in my life."
When Rosenbaum talks about his goals and aspirations, you hear the maturity in his words; the astute thought process; the considerate nature of his personality.
"I feel like a lot of kids grow up today without positive role models in their lives," he said. "I want to be someone kids can look up to; I want to be a positive influence in their life. I wish there was more positivity in the world. The world can be a dark place, so a little more positivity wouldn't hurt."
Rosenbaum has already set positive goals for himself after college. "If the opportunity arises, I'd like to come back to Concordia to teach. And coach sports. I would really like that."
Rosenbaum is glad his family moved to Concordia. "I like the small-town aspect. People are very welcoming here. It's an awesome place to call home."
Ask Jacob Rosenbaum about his dreams for the future, and you understand the true essence of the young man. He doesn't think about himself; he first thinks about his fellow man, about the human race.
"I hope the world is a better place in the future," he said. "I hope people respect each other more, and understand each other better. Humans are social creatures. Without each other, we're really not much at all. We need each other, so let's be good to each other."