Vivian Ryder: Central’s Student of Year

Outstanding Student Home Schooled for Eight Years Before Starting Central High

CENTRAL — Central High School senior Vivian Ryder has been named the Central Community School System’s Outstanding High School Student of 2012.

Miss Ryder was honored at ceremonies at the Central School Board meeting last week.

In an interview Wednesday, Vivian said the award has made her senior year even more special.

“It’s been my best year ever!” she said.

With a 4.3 grade point average, Vivian is currently ranked No. 6 in her senior class and has an array of accomplishments, including serving as Drum Major of the Central High Wildcat Band and President of the Beta Club.

“It’s been wonderful to be appreciated and honored,” she said.

For Vivian, high school is a lot different from the day she arrived at Central High School for her freshman year.

“I was scared that it would be too hard, but I found I was well prepared by my mom and dad,” she said.

Vivian was homeschooled for her first eight years of school.  “My mom taught me for most of my life, and she has been a huge inspiration.  For the first three years of homeschooling, my mom led me through my studies and guided me through the process.  But, after that, she knew I could learn on my own.  So she laid out each day’s lessons, and my job was to complete them at my own speed.  If I played around during the day, I found myself working late at night to complete my lessons for the day.  That taught me to be disciplined and not procrastinate.”

“In school, teachers sometimes hand-feed the students.  But in my homeschool environment, I had to take responsibility for learning.”

In her freshman year at Central High, Vivian rose to the new challenge, enrolling in three honors courses and one Advanced Placement course — and made all A’s!

“My freshman year was an amazing experience!  I loved Central High.  My mom had been in the Silks, and my dad had been a band captain at Central Private.  I was interested in music, and they wanted me to have the experience of being a member of the Central High Band.  I got to meet so many great people!” she said.

In her sophomore year, she continued her outstanding academic work, got involved in Beta Club and the Fellowship of Christian Students, and played soccer.

In her junior year, she joined the Central High choir and became the piano accompanist.

After graduating, she plans to study music and business.  She is considering attending Northwestern in Natchitoches, Louisiana College, or LSU in Baton Rouge.

In her spare time, Vivian teaches piano.  She is now accepting students.  To reach her, call 270-8078.

Vivian’s two brothers, Robert and Johnathan, also homeschooled.  Robert graduated from Central High last year and is now at LSU.  Johnathan is an 8th grader at St. Alphonsus.

Vivian’s parents are Randy and Sonya Ryder.

Ironically, Central’s Outstanding High School Student of 2010, Justin Schopp, was also a homeschooler.  He homeschooled for 10 years before entering Central High School at the beginning of his junior year.

Outstanding High School Student of the Year is a statewide competition.  As the winner of the competition in Central, Vivian Ryder will now represent the Central school system in the regional competition in Amite March 8.

By Woody Jenkins, Editor, Central City News