Meet the 2011 Graduates: Randy Watkins

Borough resident and 18-year-old senior Randy Watkins has known what university he’d attend, and which major of study he’d pursue there, since February.

“I got accepted to Rowan University early this year,” said Watkins, “where I’ll be majoring in computer science.”

Watkins said he discovered his knack for technology in the seventh grade, while working on stage crew for the school theater production.

“That was the first time I worked with the light and sound boards, and I liked it right away,” he said. “And I realized I was pretty good at it.”

During his second year in Collingswood High School, Watkins was enlisted as an on-site technology aid by school administration. 

“The district came to me in 10th grade, and asked me to help with technology upkeep,” said Watkins. “I’d go around and fix any technological problems in the schools. I’ve installed projectors, I’ve fixed computers, I’ve done a lot of software installations." 

But Watkins’ scope of understanding goes well beyond the spectrum of electronics. 

He’s played sports all four years of high school, including soccer and tennis—taking the position of senior captain on both teams senior year.

Watkins has also been involved with the school extracurriculars, like Latin Club, National Honor Society and National Latin Honor Society. He’s even a member of the Student Board Homeroom, a group of senior students—including the class president, vice president and treasurer—all put into a special homeroom to help make class decisions.

“My ideal (post-college) job would be a computer technician, fixing hardware and software issues. I’d like to work for a large corporation,” he said. 

Watkins said the hardest aspect of senior year was balancing schoolwork, his job, sports and the college application process. 

“The easiest thing about senior year was being able to relax a little bit. Everything’s a little less tense than compared to sophomore and junior year, especially toward the end of senior year,” he said. 

To next year’s graduating class, Watkins advice is simple.

“Work hard until you get everything done,” he said. 

It’s the motto he’s lived by, and one Collingswood High School Principal Edward T. Hill respects.

“Randy does so much, and still made the time to help the district fixing various technical problems,” said Hill. “We’re trying not to let him graduate at all this year. We’d rather keep him around.”