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December 3, 2020Patrick Bradford is a 2019 graduate of Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School. Patrick is currently residing in Columbus, Ohio, where he attends The Ohio State University on full scholarship thanks in large part to the Morrill Scholars Program. He is double majoring in political science and strategic communication and a member of the Politics, Society and Law Scholars program, which focuses on analyzing and discussing the pressing matters facing our world today.
Since his senior year at VASJ, Patrick has owned a small photography business with his best friend (also a VASJ 2019 grad) called K&P Photography. Recently he has been assisting his mother as she, too, pursues her own entrepreneurial endeavors with her home bakery, Piece of Cake.
Where did you grow up while attending VASJ?
I am a Euclid resident tried and true. Throughout my first three years at VASJ, I lived off of Tungsten Road, near the city’s industrial heart. My mother and I moved to a cozy bungalow halfway through my senior year.
Where did you go to school before VASJ?
Prior to attending VASJ, I went to Central Middle School, which at the time was part of the Euclid City School District. I also attended Euclid High School for approximately one day when my enrollment at VASJ was in limbo due to my late decision-making, which is always a fun conversation starter.
Which teacher or class at VASJ do you remember most and why?
There are so many teachers who stood out during my time at VASJ. From Ms. Joseph’s AP U.S. History class to Mrs. Adkins’s Economics and Personal Finance course to and Ms. Spangler’s Creative Writing class. However, one teacher who I will always remember is Mrs. Grai, who taught my Chemistry and Functions classes, respectively. Mrs. Grai is the kind of teacher I think most high schoolers long for: one who creates an energetic and a fun atmosphere in her class but can still deliver a helpful dose of tough love when you need it. She really helped me come into my own at VASJ and there are a plethora of life lessons I’ve learned from her that I will always carry with me.
Did you have a favorite spot to hang out and what did you like about it?
My favorite spot to hang out would probably have to be the school’s gym and stage. Whether I was cheering on our Viking basketball team at a game, overseeing the audio and visual tasks for a Mass or an assembly, or constructing sets and managing stage left with the Drama Club, I found myself in the gym a lot, so it has a lot of fond memories for me. Some of the best come from Drama Club, where we’d spend months preparing for a show, which would of course get tiresome and stressful, but the payoff of putting on a show for an audience made it all worth it.
What, if anything, about your experience at VASJ would you do over?
In hindsight, there’s not much I would do over regarding my experience at VASJ. However, if there is one thing I would do differently, it would probably be the first few weeks of my freshman year. I was quite timid and shy and all in all not letting myself dive into the new experience of high school, which ultimately did nothing to benefit me. I’m grateful to a great group of friends and supportive teachers at VASJ who pushed me to break out of my shell and make the most of high school.
