Once again, We-Ha.com and West Hartford Magazine (WHM) salute the graduating class of 2018 with the annual Terrific Teen feature.

This annual celebration of our “terrific teens” puts the spotlight on a handful of teens who have worked very hard to make it to that graduation stage. Finding just two students from each high school each year is a challenge we love, and we do mean it’s a challenge since the options are seemingly endless. Some are kids we’ve watched mature from childhood, and some were just recently brought to our attention. We wish we could spotlight more great and deserving kids, but we only have so much room in our pages.

This year, we wanted our teens to shine in a new way. For the interview process we built a questionnaire for the young adults to fill out in their own time and place, and we’re so pleased with their candor! With the exception of some editing for space constraints, most of what you’ll read here are their own words.

Our teen photo days have brought us from studios, to parks, to shopping centers. And this year we visited West Hartford’s public golf course, Rockledge Golf Club, for some fun photo opportunities. We hope you enjoy “meeting them” as much as we did. We’ll feature one student per week.

Each year, with input from our editorial board, the “Terrific Teens” section puts the spotlight on one boy and one girl from each of the public and private high schools in West Hartford. The only requirement to become a featured teen is that the student live in town.

This week, we are proud to feature Colby Lytle, Northwest Catholic High School.

As submitted by Colby Lytle and edited for content and length

Colby Lytle, a Northwest Catholic High School graduate, is a 2018 Terrific Teen. Photo credit: Todd Fairchild

Colby Lytle says that baseball has been his main “thing” for most of his life, but when he goes to college in the fall, he’ll pursue new interests.

WHM: If you could tell your freshman year self just one thing about high school, what would it be?

COLBY: One thing I would tell myself is that you don’t know who someone is till you give them a chance. The high school experience is made up by the people you meet and the connections you make with them.

WHM: Who inspires you and why? Think of a special teacher, parent, sibling, or other friend and share a story of what makes this relationship special.

COLBY: My priest at St. James’s Episcopal Church, Bob Hooper, has been an inspiration to me. He consistently sets an example for people, and there is generally no better person than him. He has been a mentor to me and has really directed me in the right direction and path. He has been one of the most influential people in my life.

WHM: What are some of your hobbies and interests?

COLBY: If I’m not playing baseball then I’ll either be hanging out with my friends or at work. Baseball has been my life since I was little, and I owe a lot of who I am to my friends.

WHM: It’s your first summer after high school … Tell us what you are looking forward to most about the coming year.

COLBY: I’m looking forward to beginning the next chapter of my life, and being able to have a direct impact on my future. Also, I’m really looking forward to meeting new people from all over.

WHM: If you’ll be attending college, tell us where and why you chose this school?

COLBY: I’ll be attending UConn next year and majoring in business. When you live in Connecticut you bleed blue, and there’s nothing better than the Huskies in March Madness. I wanted to continue bleeding blue for the next four years.

WHM: Any other anecdotes or fun facts about yourself?

COLBY: Some of the jobs I’ve held over my time in high school have been at everyone’s favorite breakfast place, Blue Plate Kitchen, and working for CUTCO. Each job has taught me something about myself I didn’t know. Another fun fact is that I am a diehard Green Bay Packers fan.

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