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Schools

MCHS Valedictorians: Ben Silva

Students with cumulative GPAs of 4.0 are named valedictorians at Mira Costa High School. This year, we salute 16 students. Check back in the coming days to read about their accomplishments, passions and college plans.

Ben Silva discusses his future acting plans and why "comedy is truer to life" than drama. He'll study English at Harvard in the fall with a minor in dramatic arts.

Patch: What kinds of activities were you involved in?

BS: I've been a drama kid all my life, so I've done a lot with the drama department. I've been on the Comedy Sportz team; I'm now manager of that. I've also recently done The Scarecrow and the Wiz. I've had a great time in high school. I got started in theatre in third grade, in Daydreams of Frog and Toad. The other kids laughed when I fell and hit my head against the whiteboard, but I liked that.

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Patch: Favorite thing about high school?

BS: Everybody in the drama department. They're my best friends in the world, and that's just been incredible. All of the people in high school were great. Loved being on homecoming court, loved English and history classes.

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Patch: Which college are you going to in the fall?

BS: I'm going to Harvard.

Patch: Wonderful accomplishment. Was that your first choice?

BS: I was lucky enough to get in, and I was blown away by that. My first choice was Northwestern, but when financial aid didn't go through for me there, it was too expensive and I looked more at Harvard.

Patch: What are you majoring in?

BS: I'm going to be an English major, with a minor in dramatic arts… or unemployed when I grow up. I want to be a writer and actor.

Patch: Do you think you might come back to Los Angeles for the entertainment industry, or do you see yourself staying out on the East Coast to go for Broadway?

BS: Beggars cannot be choosers, so I don't know if I'll end up on TV, the stage, or the screen… or in an office somewhere not doing something I like. I really don't know right now, but ultimately I want to make a living doing what I love.

Patch: What's it like, balancing theatre rehearsals and schoolwork?

BS: It is difficult. Our last two weeks before the show, in the second to last week, we're there after school 'til 8; the week after that, we're there until 10 after school. There's little to no time to do homework. You either become nocturnal or prioritize really well. For me, it's often sleeplessness.

Patch: Is there a particular area of theatre that you really like?

I do a lot of comedy and improv. I have a particular affinity for comedy. I think there was somebody who said, "Dying is easy, comedy is hard." People think drama is where the real meat is. But you look at life, life is funny. You struggle and you struggle and you die. For me, comedy is truer to life and it stems from the deepest realm.

Patch: Will you miss Manhattan Beach?

BS: I'm definitely feeling sad leaving behind friends, girlfriend, place, family, everything. I've never been to school outside of the Manhattan Beach School District. I'm scared honestly, but I'm excited, too, and I know it's going to be a whole new experience.

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