How you know him: Teddy Geiger, 17, has already toured with Hilary Duff and landed a recurring role on the new CBS show “Love Monkey.” He left high school to focus on his career and says there’s a lot to miss.
Before Teddy took the next step: He attended an all-boys school, McQuaid Jesuit High School in Rochester, N.Y. When his parents broke the all-boys school news, Teddy admits he wasn’t thrilled. But by the end of first semester, he says he was “so in love” with the school. He jokingly remembers himself as “the biggest nerd” growing up and once dreamed of being an electrical engineer like his dad. He enjoyed math and science, but music took over before he was a teen. His first album, “Underage Thinking,” is scheduled to drop this spring. He told NSM about his school days and how he could never find a pen.
 NSM: You left high school to tour with Hilary Duff. What do you miss most about high school?
Teddy: There’s so much it’s ridiculous. I went back to see everyone a week ago. It was so weird. I saw my teachers and the full school experience. It’s pretty cool; you get to wake up every morning and see pretty much everyone you know. I’m always away from everyone I know. That’s probably what I miss most.
NSM: What do you miss least about school?
Teddy: Spanish class. I’d always get in trouble in Spanish class; nothing bad, but speaking out of turn, not raising my hand when answering a question… Spanish class didn’t like me.
NSM: How would you describe who you were?
Teddy: In middle school, I never had a pen. I was always borrowing pens, and I was a huge nerd. I had the worst haircut ever, and glasses. In eighth grade, I got contacts, so it was a little better. The summer before ninth grade, I started growing my hair out. I still didn’t remember pens or pencils. I went to an all-boys high school. That was really cool for me. It helped me out a lot really, with just being comfortable. I used to be terrified of girls. I would really never have a pen, but I wouldn’t want to ask girls to borrow one. Wherever I was sitting in class, there were always four girls around me, and I’d think, ‘I guess I’m getting in trouble for borrowing a pen.’ When I went to high school, that changed a bit. When I look back, I think, why was I terrified?
NSM: Did you go to any dances in high school?
Teddy: I did. I never danced, though. I always feel I’m awkward at dancing.
NSM: So will you make it to your senior prom?
Teddy: I don’t know; I hope so.
NSM: You described yourself as a nerd as a kid, but you still seemed to like yourself. What advice do you have for kids who don’t like themselves?
Teddy: For me, it was always more important what I thought rather than what everyone else was thinking. I think that’s a good way to think.
|
