JR GUMARIN: Piano prodigy, staying busy and cutting his own hair

JR Gumarin’s family is originally from The Philippines.  He began playing the piano when he was 7 years old, and he has been playing for 11 years.

JR stays busy by biking around his neighborhood, and occasionally road bikes longer distances. He is vice president of the Chess Empowerment Team of Middle Georgia, which recently hosted its first chess tournament. He also boxes at Rush MMA, plays video games, and enjoys participating in Muay Thai.

During his sophomore year, JR took an interest in the CIA and began doing  research on the science division of the program.

He also started cutting his own hair in his sophomore year. Through trial and error, he eventually he figured it out.

JR was not involved in the theater program at Stratford until this year’s winter musical. He was a last-minute addition, and played the wizard, who was the sidekick of the villain.

“Honestly, that wizard role was like the perfect role for me,” he said. “I’m not really into being the super main role, but I think I wouldn’t really want to be too much of a side character either, so something in the middle was great.”

His advice for Upper School students? “I encourage you guys to stay busy,” he said.

JR has been dating fellow senior Rosalee Spivey for 19 months. They both will be attending Mercer University.

JR is the shortest person in the senior class, but said he is used to it.

“It’s not a bad thing, but it’s not necessarily a good thing,” he said.