This is the ninth story in Lancer Media’s 2015 Summer Series: Most Likely to…

These feature stories highlight rising seniors who are becoming role models of Lancer Spirit.

With a 4.0 GPA, a position as stage manager for next year’s plays, and the president of the Harry Potter Alliance, Corinne DeFrancisci is familiar with hard work and leadership.

Sherry DeFrancisci, Corinne’s mother, said, “Corinne has always had a very adventurous spirit. She would climb out of her crib and climb on top of the TV stand before she could talk. Now she still bravely tackles causes that are important to her, even though she may face the criticism of others. She follows her heart, and I am so proud of her.”

At the May awards ceremony, DeFrancisci received departmental awards for science and Project Lead the Way, attendance, and a 4.0 GPA.

She says that she keeps her grades so high because “I pay attention in class and do my homework. There are lots of school topics that actually interest me, which allows me to remember stuff about them.” And her favorite classes that she’s taken are technical theater and AP US History.

DeFrancisci is also in the Project Lead the Way program or PLTW for short. This program teaches students STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) skills and can lead to college success in engineering.  “I like it. The classes bring out a creativity in me that I didn’t know I had, and Mr. Lastova and Mr. Greene are awesome,” said DeFrancisci.

DeFrancisci and Marissa Maze are presidents of the Harry Potter Alliance. This year, to raise money for The Fredrick Animal Shelter, they hosted a quidditch tournament, which was a surprise hit. Eight teams competed in the tournament to win a golden snitch trophy, made by HPA member Payton Hull, and many students came out to watch the games. Corinne and Marissa hope to start a tradition from this and make the tournament a yearly event.

Marsha Thompson, adviser of the HPA said, “Corinne is an excellent go-getter. She doesn’t just think of an idea and drop it. She’s willing to do the hard work to make the idea a reality.”

Julian Lazarus, drama and dance teacher, has the same view. He says, “She’s become very good at being able to have a vision for something and turning it into a reality.”

DeFrancisci is involved in doing tech for the plays and musicals. She has done tech for six shows and two Advanced Theatre productions. Her favorite was  Iphigenia because “it was the first show I did and it was all new to me.”

She also says she really liked Curtains because “there was a lot to build. It was the first time I was a wing head, and the songs were really fun to sing along to.”

Next year she will take on the role of stage manager for the play. “I’m excited. I’m also a little nervous, but I’ll have people helping me.”

“At Linganore the stage managers are responsible for actually running the shows, so when we get to show week Corinne will be responsible for the entire show. I expect her to be organized and I expect her to be a strong leader,” said Lazarus.  “I think Corinne is very dedicated and seems to truly enjoy what she’s doing, and, because of that, I hope she will bring an excitement that will spread to the rest of the cast and crew.”

“I want to go into college and possibly major in political science. After that, I haven’t got a clue,” said DeFrancisci.

Whatever she chooses to do it’s clear thatDeFrancisci’s future is bright and full of possibility.