cjohnson@messengernews.net

There isn’t much free time in Manuela Rodriguez’s schedule and that’s the way she likes it.

The Fort Dodge Senior High senior is involved in everything that piqued her interests throughout her life.

“The primary reason I am involved in so many things is simply because I am genuinely interested in all the things I am involved in,” Rodriguez said. “However, I know that I am interested in these things because my parents always encouraged me to participate in a lot of activities when I was a kid, so that when I got older, I would be a well-rounded person with many choices of what I could do with my life, which I now am.”

Through her high school career, things have changed, but the one thing that has always stayed consistent is her love for tennis.

“I have been playing tennis since I was a little kid,” Rodriguez said. “When everything in my life was changing, tennis was one of the only things that stayed constant, so needless to say it means a lot to me.

“It’s definitely going to be hard to leave it behind after this season, but I also think that it will be something like a blessing in disguise. I will always have tennis, but without having to play it all the time, I will have more time for other activities, schoolwork, and hanging out with friends.”

For the past two years Rodriguez has been a drum major for the Fort Dodge All-American Marching Band — this year she’s the head drum major.

“I was definitely very nervous about it in the days leading up to band camp, because even though I had been a drum major my junior year, I knew it would not be the same,” Rodriguez said. “I definitely had to come into my own during band camp and gain confidence in doing things like the warmups alone.

“Thankfully, everyone has been very gracious with me when I make mistakes, which has been very encouraging and even the teachers allow me to collaborate with them on different aspects of the show and how we should be running practices.”

Being a part of the Dodger band has been a great experience for Rodriguez.

“I think that describing it as a family is accurate and I’m so glad that people feel that way,” Rodriguez said . “Especially at Fort Dodger Senior High, my band experience has been amazing.

“Learning music, making mistakes, and discussing songs creatively together have all been such amazing experiences since everyone involved in band is so different, that everyone can bring their own unique point of views to the creative environment.”

Along with tennis and marching band, Rodriguez is involved in jazz band, concert band, fall play, musical, choir, speech and the Little Dodger.

Rodriguez’s love for music started when she was younger.

“I played piano at a young age because my parents just wanted to expose me to everything possible so that I could really find my thing instead of putting me in a box with just one activity,” Rodriguez said. “In fifth grade we got to choose what instrument we wanted to play and my dad had played trumpet, so we already had one, so that’s the instrument I chose.

“My parents weren’t really musical but they love music, so they always encouraged me to practice and perform at every chance possible.”

Rodriguez loves to be on stage and share her talents.

“Similar to my experience with band, I had always loved singing, and my parents had exposed me to theater at a young age,” Rodriguez said. “So, when I heard the Hawkeye Theatre had winter shows that involved children, I jumped at the opportunity, and started doing shows there annually.

“Since then, I’ve done as much theater as possible, and although my parents aren’t theatrically or musically inclined, they both supported me all the way.”

Rodriguez has been involved in a number of musicals throughout her career.

“I did a few musicals for Stagedoor (“Beauty and the Beast, “”the Little Mermaid,” “Shrek”), a few for St. Edmond (“The Wizard of Oz,” “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”), and two so far for senior high (“Tuck Everlasting,” “Anastasia”),” Rodriguez said. “I. always love meeting people and the sense of community you gain from doing musicals since it takes so much coordination from everyone involved.

“Every show presented different challenges, which made each one unique and fun. For example, in “Tuck Everlasting” I had different challenges as a lead role (learning lines, specifying acting, learning blocking) than I did in “Anastasia” as a featured ensemble member (costume changes, dancing, harmonies in group numbers).”

Being a part of musicals gives performers a chance to test all of their skills.

“I have always loved singing, and bringing in the aspect of being able to pretend I am someone else for a while, along with the dancing aspect, what’s there not to love,” Rodriguez said. “I’ve played Mrs. Gloop in “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” Mae Tuck in “Tuck Everlasting,” and Gorlinsky in “Anastasia” while I have been in high school.”

“I am really glad that I joined speech because aside from being just another opportunity to perform and have fun, it has given me more experience with performing under pressure,” Rodriguez said. “Speech has also taught me how to work as a team and collaborate with coaches to ensure the best outcome. It is also very fun to go to speech competitions and not only support my friends, but also see the talents of other schools, which I do not often get to see, and learn from them.

“It definitely gets hard when individual and group speech are going at the same time, but it has always helped me to acknowledge that everyone is in the same boat and that we are all tired and stressed, but if we work together quickly and efficiently, we can make the most of a short rehearsal and get on with our days.”

Only into Week 2 of her senior year, there are plenty of things that Rodriguez will miss when she moves onto college.

“I’ve thought a lot about this question, and it is a hard one to answer because I will miss everything in different ways,” Rodriguez said. “The only thing I will miss about theater is the people, as I plan to pursue theater in college and beyond. I will miss band because it was in many ways the reason that my transfer to Fort Dodge Senior High was so smooth and I have had some of my best experiences at Senior High within the band program.

“I will miss tennis a whole lot as well because it has played such a big role in my life since I was a kid and has become a really big part of my identity. But who knows, I might play a little during and after college, so it’s not really a “last.”

Another passion that Rodriguez has is writing for the Little Dodger.

“I just write stories for the Little Dodger and occasionally do the photo poll,” Rodriguez said. “I love writing for the Little Dodger because I have always had an interest in journalism and creative writing, and writing for the Little Dodger is just another way to pursue that interest. It’s also just cool to pretend I am a real journalist.”

As the year will wind down, Rodriguez is looking forward to a number of things, but being a Dodger has meant a lot as well.

“I have a lot of things to look forward to right now, the biggest of which is, of course, college,” Rodriguez said. “I can’t wait to see what it will be like to live completely independently and have to make my own friends and fend for myself.

“To me, being a Dodger means being part of a community that supports each other, even after they leave high school. I have experienced so much love and support as part of the Dodger community, and I hope to have imparted some of that love and support to others before I leave high school.”

Being involved in so many things there has to be a support staff and mentors to help guide you through the path and Rodriguez has had plenty.

“I know it’s a little cliche, but the first thing that comes to mind is my mom, she has been there for me through thick and thin and if it wasn’t for her, I don’t know where I’d be,” Rodriguez said. “My dad has also influenced me to be charismatic and know when to laugh in hard situations.

“Finally, my real friends have taught me how to be confident in and love who I am.”

Rodriguez plans to attend college out east. She wants to pursue her BFA in musical theater and maybe minor in creative writing or psychology. Following that she wants to get her masters.

Vacation destination: London, England.

People I would like to have dinner with: David Fincher or Meryl Streep.

It would surprise people that I: wake up to Mr. Bright Side.

Performer that inspires me: Edward Norton.

My everyday role model: my mom.

I can’t go a day without: aquafor or Vaseline.

Where do I see myself in 10 years?

working as an actor, singer, or wirter.

What are you listening to right now?

Angel in Realtime by Gang of Youths.

Dream piece: Les Miserables or Twelfth Night.

A show you binge watch: “You”.

Favorites…

Musical: Les Miserables or Cabaret.

Performance: Miles Teller in Whiplash at the Moment.

Music genre: Alternative/Indie or Pop.

Song: “Just Once” by Quincy Jones or “The Heart is a Muscle” by Gang of Youths.

Class: Abnormal Psychology or AP Language.

Movie: Fight Club or

Princess Bride.

Book: The Song of Achilles.

Phone App.: Instagram or Letterboard.