Madeira sticks to the classics

By ALYSSA MATLOSZ

Freshman Rebecca Madeira of Howell is an old soul in a modern school. She has a variety of interests and could be described as a singer, actress or bookworm. Still, she described music as one of the key components of her life.

“For as long as I can remember, I’ve sung anything and everything,” Madeira said. “It drives my family insane.”

Madeira is particularly fond of soundtrack music. She has acted in “The Sound of Music,” “The Wizard of Oz” and “Once Upon a Mattress.” She said she also enjoys the soundtracks of “Lord of the Rings,” “Wicked” and “Les Miserables.”

However, with the exception of soundtracks, Madeira strays from contemporary music and sticks to classical.

“It gets across a meaning without words. There’s something for every mood,” she said. “I really like composers like Bach, Beethoven, Hans Zimmer and John Williams.”

Madeira’s love for classics is not limited to music. She described herself as “behind the times” when discussing her love for 1800s Victorian England.

“I love the general sense of history of the time period. I’m a huge history nut, but it’s not like I won’t accept anything from now. I love the Internet,” she said.

However, Madeira gave up using the Internet for Lent, although she said she does use it to access her school email account and to do homework.

“I make an exception for music, as well,” she said.

Madeira said that not using the Internet allows her to focus more on homework and recreational reading. Her favorite books include The Harry Potter series, and she’s often compared to character Luna Lovegood due to her long, curly and blonde hair, which she described as “monster” hair.

“It was the first thing I noticed about her,” said friend and classmate Kat Holtz of Hazlet.

Holtz also noted Madeira’s responsible attitude and old-timey interests.

“She’s someone to look up to,” said Holtz. “She’s younger than me, but her mindset is more mature, in a good way. She knows how to have fun, but she thinks before she acts. It’s really something to admire.”