NPHS senior an inspiration to his class, others that follow
By Michelle Knight knight@theacorn.com

Peter Mcclintock

Peter McClintock isn't like most teenagers.

He's conquered the angst and self-doubt so common to adolescents and has become known and admired around Newbury Park High School as someone willing to sacrifice self-image for the sake of instilling school spirit in his classmates.

Time and again McClintock has donned the class color red, painting his face and wearing costumes-a lobster, a leprechaun, a Samurai warrior, even a giant Elmo-at events to rally his peers.

"I've done that really to get our school pumped," McClintock said. "It's so much fun, and we have such a great class."

The 18-year-old, who graduated last week from Newbury Park High along with 460 others, doesn't worry about self-image. "That's not who I am," he said.

"To be a leader, sometimes you have to stand out there when no one else does. I believe in standing up and making a difference."

School administrators and teachers enjoy McClintock's exuberant personality. Teachers voted him one of the top 10 seniors at Newbury Park High.

"What I admire about Peter is for every class function, every rally, every home game, he was willing to risk what people thought about him for the benefit of the class," school counselor Chuck Severns said.

McClintock's peers admire his outgoing nature as well. He was elected to the homecoming court for the last two years, chosen this year as king and Mr. Panther, the student who epitomizes what a Newbury Park High School student should be. And for the last three years, students have elected him class president.

In his 30 years of working in the school district, Severns said, he's never seen a student elected class president three times.

"In his positive way, he's the most amazing student I've ever come across," Severns said.

Another display of the admiration his fellow students have for McClintock occurred at the recent senior scholarship awards. Students stood up and gave hearty applause when his name was called out.

"It was very emotional for the adults to see that," Severns said.

McClintock puts his outgoing nature to work every morning when making the announcements-a daily ritual that otherwise could be dry and dull. He makes it a point to call attention- what's known as giving a shoutout-to low-profile clubs and school activities. Severns said students and teachers appreciate that.

"They realize he's genuine," he said.

Severns said McClintock has endeared himself to others by being willing to sacrifice decorum, and he likely will be remembered by his classmate and serve as a model to them. "I've never seen anything like it," Severns said. "He changed the climate on this campus like I've never seen. . . . I'm so proud of Peter McClintock. I'll never forget him." In addition to devoting so much

time to rallying school spirit, McClintock has kept on top of his studies. He's among the top 5 percent of his class academically. He's also a founding member of the NPHS chapter of the National Honor Society.

Although it's impossible to list all of his achievements and awards, a few highlights include volunteering for four years at a homeless shelter, serving on a church mission trip to Mexico, anchoring the Panther TV news broadcast every Friday morning and attaining Eagle Scout rank.

He plans to join his older sister in the fall at the University of Arizona, where he's been awarded a four-year scholarship. He may major in political science, but whatever career he ultimately chooses, he wants it to contribute to a better society.

"I want to do something great," he said. "Wherever I am, I want to be a leader in that field.