After returning from spring break, many people at Woodland have noticed a new arrival to the class of 2024. Riley Mena has been catching the attention of the whole student body. After transferring from Kaynor Technical High School, Mena has been playing guitar everywhere he goes, on the bus, in the cafeteria, and even the gym.

He’s gained many fans in the process.

“Everybody was walking up to me and wanted a turn hearing me play; it was fun,” said Mena.

Jamie Shaffer, avid music listener, said,

“I think it’s really cool to see someone expressing themselves through an instrument and getting enthusiastic reactions from people.”

Olivia Schwenger, pictured in the cafeteria listening to Mena play, said,

“He was very talented. I was very impressed with how good he was with his chords.”

Ian Youngs, band director and teacher, said

“Riley joined our concert band when he came to this school and has been an active member in it, taking direction very well, and able to insert his talents to us, to his highest degree so far.”

His musical background includes several other instruments.

“Drums, piano, bass, I’m in the percussion section in the band,” Mena said.

Mena started playing the guitar because of his father.

“My dad introduced me to the bass guitar five years ago, and I still enjoy bass, but one and a half years later I said ‘dad, I want to try electric guitar,’” shared Mena.

His dad also bought him his first guitar.

“This is my child, I treat this thing as if I were to treat my child,” he said referring to his bright blue guitar.

Although most find him entertaining, a few people had some complaints about the noise on the early morning bus ride.

Steve Reid, fellow bus 7 rider, said “Oh yeah I heard him. It was way too early for that.”

Respectful of the bus sleepers, Mena responded,

“Playing on the bus was a bad idea, that was in the morning; I didn’t know people were sleeping. I’m not gonna do that again.”

His ultimate goal is to get “big”.

“I want to be in a band, write my own music, write albums. I want to tour around the world,” Mena said.

On Thursday, June 1st there will be a Rock Battle hosted by Hawk Headlines during advisory in the auditorium, where students will be able to listen to the battles and vote for the winner. Mena was asked to participate, and is currently working on his original pieces.

“I have a riff I was working on; I have a few riffs already for the battle” he said.

You can look forward to seeing Mena there.