Adam Hartz, a senior at John Adams, is deeply engaged in a variety of extracurricular activities, including Marching Band, Mock Trial, and the National Honor Society. He also participates in Quiz Bowl, track, and chess club. At 18, Hartz is a blend of charisma and dedication, effectively managing his busy schedule while excelling both academically and in his diverse activities.
Something about his John Adams experience that Adam takes great pride in is the success of the various teams he has been part of. For instance, this year marks the second time in his four years and only the third time in school history that the John Adams Marching Eagles have made it to state. On Saturday, October 19th they the Eagles band placed 14th at the state finals. Another notable achievement Adam has contributed to is the John Adams Mock Trial’s fourth place finish at state last year. Adam mentioned that, though placing high at state is a notable accomplishment, he and the rest of the group have their eyes on that national qualification this year. Good luck, Legal Eagles!
After being asked about what he has done in his time at John Adams, Hartz emphasized that his multitude of non-academic engagements leaves him with little to no free time. In the same conversation he mentioned that he wouldn’t have it any other way: “…because of extracurriculars, I get to see more of the school than most people–generally just a super amazing experience to be as involved in John Adams as I am…”
If, once in a blue moon, Adam has a free moment, he can often be found getting lost in Instagram Reels or testing his strategy skills by playing chess. If, in that same blue moon, he manages to catch up with his friends, who are also often super busy, Hartz enjoys going out to eat, and in his words, “vibing in between school and practice or something.” Another thing to note about Adam’s favorite things to do when he finds some downtime is sleep. As he puts it, “I’m Unc-ed up now, I need naps.”
As he reflects on his high school years, Hartz highlights the many opportunities he has had “to meet and befriend so many amazing people.” Students, teachers, and coaches have all played a huge role in pushing him to be his best, whether it be in the classroom, on the track, or during activities. Their constant encouragement and support have motivated him to challenge himself and keep aiming high. Some special shoutouts Adam would like to give are James, Olivia, Lucy, Mrs. Stanton, Mr. Graham, and the members of his Mock Trial team for sticking with him when things get tough; he wouldn’t have made it through high school without them.
Overall, Adam has had a solid time at John Adams. However, his only real regret is taking on too many difficult math classes. A prime example is AP Calculus; in his words, “I’m cooked this year in AP Calc.” Good luck with that Adam!
Post-high school plans for Adam include pursuing a degree in philosophy in preparation for law school. With interests in UChicago, Notre Dame, NYU, and Brown, he is excited about the chance to immerse himself in challenging academic environments that engage his thinking and expand his perspective. Adam believes that studying philosophy will help him improve his critical thinking, needed to have a successful career in law.
In his 4 years of school at John Adams, Adam has gathered a good amount of knowledge on navigating high school efficiently. That being said, he would like to share a piece of that knowledge to current underclassmen students, “I guess my advice would be that the only difference between a hurdle and a stepping stone is the way you look at it. Also that confidence is just as important as preparation when it comes to success.”
The Tower congratulates Adam and the rest of the class of 2025 as they move on to new adventures and experiences!
