Getting to know Robert Suits as an 8th Grader

Alan (AS) interviews Robert (RS), April 2004. Robert is Bryan and Joan's son.

(AS) Robert, tell me what courses you are taking in school?

(RS) I am just finishing 8th grade this year. I took Geometry, American History, Band, Earth Science, English and Computers. I will have similar courses in the 9th grade.

(AS) Which subjects do you especially enjoy and excel at?

(RS) Geography, History, and similar subjects.

Note: Robert took 3rd place in the State of Michigan Finals for the 2004 National Geographic Bee.

Robert Suits

(AS) Are there any teachers you particularly like or don't like?

(RS) Yes.

(AS) Robert, what are your extra-curriculum activities?

(RS) Drama. I have been in a couple of operas and plays with community players, as well as a number of school plays.

(AS) Do you take part in sports?

(RS) No.

(AS) What computer games do you enjoy?

(RS) I play computer games such as: Victoria - Empire under the sun; Medieval total war; Europa Universalis II.

(AS) What musical instruments do you play?

(RS) I play percussion (a.k.a. a lot of different instruments).

(AS) What kind of music do you like to listen to? Who are your favorite musical artists?

(RS) Pachabel’s Cannon, and variations thereof – my favorite CD is titled
“Pachabel’s Greatest Hit” which has 15 different variations of Pachabel’s
cannon.

(AS) What television do you watch?

(RS) Mostly the History Channel and sometimes The Learning Channel.

(AS) What books have you read that you especially liked?

(RS) I like Sci-Fi. Some examples are “The Years of Rice and Salt,” by Kim Stanley Robinson and “American Empire Series,” by Harry Turtledove.

(AS) What are some motion pictures or videos that you have enjoyed?

(RS) Monty Python: “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” and “The Life of Brian” as well as Austin Powers Movies.

(AS) How much hiking or camping have you done?

(RS) Minuscule.

(AS) Robert, tell me about your close friends and what they are like. What kinds of things you do with them?

(RS) My best friend is Ben. He is like me.

(AS) Are there any philosophical questions you discuss with your friends?

(RS) We discuss the question of the meaning of life?

(AS) Tell me about your your hobbies and collections.

(RS) Rocks; History and Coins interest me.

(AS) What college or professional baseball or football team do you pull for?

(RS) None.

(AS) Do you do any drawing, painting or photography?

(RS) Rarely, but I do some computer graphics sometimes. Mostly fictional maps related to computer games mentioned above.

(AS) What are your career ambitions?

(RS) To be a politician or a historian, possibly.

(AS) Robert. Thank you very much. It has been a pleasure learning about your many interests.

(End of interview)