Most teenagers tend to listen to today’s popular music genres, such as rap or pop. However, there is an exception to this social norm—Carlos Ramirez Pereyo.
A tall, Italian-looking male (though of Puerto Rican blood) with silky hair, wearing button-up shirts revealing his chest, and often seen singing in the hallways, Ramirez Pereyo is an enthusiastic Timber Creek senior who is devoted to opera and acting—and he has made sure to pursue those passions during his high school journey.
Ramirez Pereyo is president of Swing Dancing Club and has been an essential member of the Drama Club since his freshman year, with leading roles in all of their shows, except last year’s “Rabbit Hole.” Though the majority of his experiences in the drama department have been pleasurable, Ramirez Pereyo is not afraid of displaying his dislike for “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.” “It was a terrible experience for everybody,” he exclaimed.
Though the vast majority might think Ramirez Pereyo has dedicated most of his time to drama for his love towards acting, it is not acting itself that drives him to stay there. “Singing is definitely my favorite extracurricular,” said Ramirez Pereyo. “My literal purpose[s] in life [are] the arts and sex appeal,” with a serious look on his face, he revealed that is the only reason why he lifts weights at school (and yes, he also is in weightlifting): to earn a career through not only talent, but good looks. And so, it seems to continue to work.
Ramirez Pereyo was accepted into Rollins College with a $20,000 scholarship—and that is without an audition in his area of expertise. He has also been accepted into the University of Miami’s music program (though not the college itself yet) and is waiting to hear back from Florida State University. This is rather surprising to him, since academics have not been his priority this year.
For the past three years, Ramirez Pereyo has taken care of homework for “an hour or two” after his extensive rehearsals. This was not the case for his last year, however. “First semester I basically thought, ‘I don’t want to do any work at all. Just don’t want to do anything,’” said Ramirez Pereyo chuckling. “People would be asking, ‘Why didn’t you learn your songs? Why didn’t you do homework?’ I’ve just been watching Netflix.” If Netflix is what it takes to receive $20,000 in scholarship money, then there must be a flaw in the education system!
But wait—there’s more. Ramirez Pereyo also seems to have staunchly-established dreams, ones which he wants to ensure people are aware of. “I want to take over every government in the world and unite them under the super city model—which I have actually written a manifesto on instead of doing my homework,” he said.
“Other people would say that I’m charismatic, or a ‘butthole’ (you know what I mean),” said Ramirez Pereyo with a smirk. However, he holds values that lead him to promote individuality and masculinity, which includes “being tough and treating ladies right.”
Music must burn in Ramirez Pereyo’s veins, since he says he would be a musical note. “If I were to personify myself as a musical note, it would be Jonas Kaufmann singing his high C in the //Travortia//. It’s powerful, high, and the most exciting sound I’ve ever heard,” he said.
There is something that Ramirez Pereyo believes makes him “stand out from the crowd (literally);” something that makes him, him. “My nose—it’s big. The way it’s shaped is very particular to men in my family.” Underneath all the values and manliness, there is still a hint of humor.