Chris Sotropa, 12, is an athlete, innovator, student, and photographer, all titles that made him a sure thing for the “18 under 18” issue. However, above all, Sotropa is a great friend and community builders. He stays deeply involved in the world around him and forges strong relationships with the people around him, constantly pushing his friends to achieve their goals. His energy, creativity and commitment to uplifting both those around him and himself define his impact on SHS.
After noticing the single-focus of many traditional computer science courses, Sotropa, along with fellow senior Susheel Vadrevu, started the Kids in Tech (KIT) initiative, a program that teaches kids about computer science, aiming to make it more engaging, accessible, and collaborative. Whether in-person or on Zoom, Sotropa was able to get kids excited about coding. His main goal was to make computer science more involved, integrating group-projects and collaboration to create a fun, career-driven environment. With topics like AI and cybersecurity, the courses that Sotropa taught showed kids all aspects of computer science while keeping collaboration at the forefront.
Along with KIT, Sotropa ran the “AvesVisuals” Instagram account with a few friends, a space where he shared his sports photography. Sotropa can be found taking photos across the SHS community, whether on the sidelines of a Junior High football game or editing photographs for senior Michael Johnson’s clothing brand, UNCASUAL.
On the tennis court, Sotropa values the connections that SHS tennis has brought and the ones that he has played an integral part in creating. He strives to build relationships and an invigorating team culture, using his leadership and positive attitude to foster a close-knit community where teammates feel included and motivated to succeed.
For any incoming students, Sotropa’s advice is simple: be involved. He encourages students to find something you care deeply about and act on it. Trying new activities and avenues, he believes, can lead to finding something that you end up loving. His favorite SHS memory (though he liked everything) was Miss Marth’s class. Coming in as a freshman, he felt worried, but after taking the class, he found he was changed as a student.
Through his many pursuits, Sotropa has left a lasting mark on SHS, shaping a legacy of creativity, leadership, and genuine connection.
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