Mr. Howard Ritz, speech teacher, suddenly jumps onto a desk to ask the students if they trust him. Without waiting for an answer, Mr. Ritz jumps from his current desk to a second, sticking his landing. Mr. Ritz teaches all sorts of exercises to move students from their comfort zones and help them excel in speech.

“I used to get in trouble for talking in class,” Mr. Ritz said. “Now I get paid for it.”

Mr. Ritz also says that he wants to change Legacy’s culture. To do this, he requires his students in Professional Communication go to people they don’t know and shake their hands. He stresses the importance of students stepping out of their comfort-zone.

“I hope people see a confidence that I demonstrate daily in class,” Mr. Ritz said. “It is okay to be unique.”

Outside of his very energetic routine at school, he likes to host parties and watch any kind of comedy. Though he loves talking at school, things differ outside of the classroom.

“Most people think i’m outgoing, but if i was on a plane or in public, I wouldn’t talk to the person next to me,” Mr. Ritz said.

Mr. Ritz trains the debate team on Thursday evenings after school. The debate team visits many colleges for competitions, and they win many of the debates. One award they won was the “Silver Bowl Award,” while competing at Harvard University. Junior Lynsey Williams competed with Mr. Ritz on the debate team for three years since 2012.

“He is really passionate about the debate team,” junior Lynsey Williams said. “My cases or even my voice wouldn’t be as strong without a coach like him backing me up.”

Mr. Ritz also looks toward idealism as a main focus. By being an idealist, or a person who looks to the future and doesn’t think about practical considerations, Mr. Ritz can look to the future with plans which he can give to students and motivate them to success.

“I learn to adapt. I see the good in everyone else. I hope that by me being genuine and myself, other people could see that and be themselves.”