Adam Levandowski is generally regarded as the spirit of Santa Rita High School, in the flesh. He's known as the "spirit guy" for his many antics, such as his imaginative Halloween costumes. Levandowski voices the school's announcements over the P.A. system in the morning; he can be counted on to pull good-natured stunts to keep morale high.
'I like making people laugh,' affable senior says
By Angela Soto
ARIZONA DAILY STAR
Not every student at Santa Rita High School has met Adam Levandowski. But they all know the sound of his voice.
Levandowski, 18, reads the school's announcements every morning at 9:05. To his fellow students, the senior is "the guy who makes the announcements in the morning," "spirit guy" or just a "crazy guy who wore a box for one of the assemblies."
All of those descriptions apply.
Levandowski goes out of his way to spark school spirit. He dresses up every Halloween. During his high school career he's been a roll of LifeSavers, a cheerleader, a nun and a French maid. It takes a lot of nerve to dress in drag, but Levandowski will do anything for a laugh.
"I've gone to all the schools within a one-mile radius to my home," Levandowski said. "I grew up with all these students. I don't listen to those kids who make fun of me. I really don't care what anyone thinks. I like making people laugh."
Last year, Levandowski approached the principal and asked if he could read the morning announcements.
"Frankly, they were boring," he said of the administration staff's rendition.
Principal Abel Morado agreed. Since he took over the job, Levandowski has added his own touch of humor and a vocabulary word of the day.
"He is so creative," said fellow student Tiffany Groves. "During Christmas, he put Christmas lights on his backpack. He's got a unique sense of humor."
"People like Adam," said English teacher Judy Hiner. "The freshmen see so much self-confidence in him. He is enthusiastic and maintains the school spirit. He wants to get the most out of high school and doesn't want to let a single opportunity go by. I don't think he's ever had a bad day, and if he does, he doesn't show it. He is one of the most outstanding students I've met in my 28 years of teaching."
Aside from his announcement-reading duties, Levandowski wrestles and sings in the choir. After graduation, he plans to attend the Colorado School of Mines to major in computer engineering.
But before he leaves Santa Rita, Levandowski wants to make sure his old job is in good hands - he's interviewing students to take over his role of reading the morning announcements.
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