Meet Hoover High School’s very own superhero… Meet Alec Pilati.

Involved in nearly every activity, extracurricular and leadership position known to man, he has always
had a passion for performing, and his extracurriculars perfectly demonstrate that. Pilati is involved in various performing-based activities, including Hi-Lo’s, Lo-Notes, Men’s Chorus, musicals and the North Canton Playhouse, along with his favorite activity, Speech and Debate.

“Every Saturday, I have the chance to perform and then receive feedback to make my performance the next Saturday even better,” he said. “As the Speech and Debate season ends, it is usually when the school musical begins, which is another great outlet for performing. It is similar to Speech in the sense that both have a great amount of time to prepare for performances, just instead of multiple smaller chances to perform, the musical ends with a grand weekend of polished and energetic performances.”

Speech and Debate coach and adviser Ms. Missy Sterzbach has coached Alec for six years.

“It [Speech and Debate] is a very different activity and he embraced it from the beginning, and now he has grown into a very seasoned, skilled competitor,” she said.

Pilati has competed in the Duo Interpretation category for four years with his partner, senior AnnaSophia Bates, and this year the duo has taken on co-presidency of Speech and Debate.

“In terms of speech and debate, his greatest strength is that he took the whole journey,” Stertzbach said. “When you start out as freshman or novice, it is hard to see that at the end of the that you can be a champion, but he and his partner kind of rode that wave together and that takes patience and dedication.”

Aside from onstage performances, Pilati has a talent for all things art. Interactive Media teacher Mr. Gary Bodenschatz has had Pilati as a student for four years. “I think he is pretty creative, but he is kind of quiet about it, in a way that he has these ideas brewing in his head that I think a lot of people don’t see, until he decides to reveal it, and when he does,
you are usually pretty impressed,” he said.

Alec’s artistic side that can often be unintentionally overlooked by his musical talents; however, his design accomplishments do not go unrecognized.

“He has done a lot of good design work for the school, and I think he has done some really nice work that people see around the school and don’t realize he did it,” Bodenschatz said.

Pilati is not only creative, but he also demonstrates a highly desired quality: a good work ethic.

“I would say he is pretty thoughtful in his design work, conscientious, and he works hard to design really good work,” Bodenschtaz said. “I think his best characteristic is that he is exceptionally good-natured, and I appreciate that he is kind of an introvert, but once you get to know him and he feels free to express himself to you, he is a pleasure to know.”

Pilati holds various leadership roles in different extracurricular such as President of Speech and
Debate, previously holding Spirit Director and Social Media Director for the team, Secretary on the Student
Executive Board for choir, Baritone Section Leader and Student Curator for Studio 525. Alec comments on his
leadership responsibilities.

“Currently, I am a co-president of the Speech and Debate team, sharing the role with my Duo-Partner of four
years, AnnaSophia Bates,” Pilati said, “Junior year I was the team’s Spirit Director, and sophomore year I was the team’s Social Media Director. I am so happy to lead an activity of what I love doing.”

Friend, teammate and fellow member of National Honors Society, senior Jocelyn Walbeck, comments on Pilati’s friendly spirit and camaraderie.

“I’d say what makes Alec different from other friends is that he is very outgoing,” she said. “He is great at including others and making new friends.”

Stertzbach reflects on his desirable interpersonal skills and forthcoming personality.

“I definitely think something special about him is his creativity coupled with his kindness,” she said. “He is extremely kind for a young man, and he seems always willing to step in and do the right thing.”