Although his days no longer start with a 3:45 a.m. lift before his long commute to school, Sixth Former Tanner Vogel still maintains a unique daily routine during the weekdays and the weekends.
His alarm now rings at 5:45 on school days, leaving him plenty of time to shower, get dressed, and drive 25 miles from Coatesville, PA. The drive usually takes about 40 minutes in his manual Honda Civic. When he arrives at school at 7:30, he has plenty of time to enjoy potatoes with hot sauce, sausages, and a biscuit.
As a Sixth Former attending Purdue University next year, Tanner constantly balances schoolwork with his many interests, as well as his home life and family. Vogel’s afternoons usually consist of a daily five-to-ten-minute debrief with his mother after the long drive home.
Afterward, he gets in a lift before completing a hefty load of homework, whether it be Advanced Chemistry, Page & Stage, or Government & Politics. Tanner is known for his academic prowess, achieving high grades in advanced classes. He was inducted into Cum Laude society this school year.
After dinner—whether it be takeout or Mom’s cooking—with his parents and younger sister, Tanner is in bed around ten, ready for another early morning.
Living in a place like Coatesville, with sometimes acres of land between houses, an abundance of farms, and scarce stores and restaurants, Vogel’s hobbies and weekend activities are question marks to many.
Tanner works at Icore Fitness, an American Ninja Warrior gym.
“I’m either working the desk, which is only about 45 minutes of actual work on an eight-hour shift, or I’m working on the floor, where my job consists of walking around and convincing people to try things, and playing on trampolines and obstacles, so it’s hard to consider it ‘work,’” Vogel said.
The job comes with its perks, as Vogel often goes in when Icore is closed to lift with his boss, Alex, three-to-four days a week. “My boss is my boy,” Vogel said, adding that knowing his boss on a personal level makes work all the more fun.
But with a recent weekend off of work—a rare occurrence—Vogel took the time to enjoy himself. Saturday morning started almost as early as any school day, but instead of being in the classroom by 8:30, he was on the first tee box of Ingleside Golf Club. Despite the rather brisk conditions, he shot a solid 89— not bad for only playing once or twice a month.
After a well-earned relaxing Saturday, Sunday was the peak of the weekend.
Vogel and his father headed out to the Penn Dutch Sportsman range to practice shooting and sight in some guns for upcoming tournaments. Tanner picked the hobby up with his father, shooting BB guns at six, and he has pursued it more seriously ever since. Besides an enjoyable hobby, Vogel sees it as the main way he and his father spend time together.
Whether it be an IDPA tournament with ten rounds of pistol-only shooting, or a two-gun match, with three longer rounds of pistol and rifle, Tanner spends the little free time he has working on his patience and aim.
The 35-minute drive to the gun range in New Holland, PA, runs through Amish country’s rolling green and yellow fields, quaint houses, and horses and carriages. The day’s conversation consists of senior assassin talk, starting with Tanner’s father berating him for his early elimination. “I just don’t understand how you managed to get out one minute after school ends,” Mr. Vogel said.
After shamefully explaining that he had been resting his jug on a table outside of the art rooms for only a second, Tanner changed the topic to the obnoxious safety item, with the end of round 2 and the start of round 3 only hours away.
“I think you should have to carry around a flag on a pole, but you can’t let the flag touch the ground or you’re not safe,” Mr. Vogel suggested.
His son offers a different approach. “I’m saying it should be an inflatable pool donut that has to be around your waist for you to be safe,” Vogel said, “so you can’t really sit down anywhere outside of school buildings.”
The truck rolled past a carriage on the side of the road that read “CARRIAGE FOR SALE. $3500 (2003 MODEL)”. Mr. Vogel jokingly suggested towing the carriage behind the truck and making him and his sister sit in it, to which Vogel shook his head.
Vogel enjoys going to the range because it gives him an opportunity to spend time with his father. It also gives him a chance to get away from his busy life. He finds it calming, being in a secluded spot in the woods, not having to think about schoolwork or college.
Tanner practiced a few rounds on the pistol range at 10 feet and 30 feet before moving to the open range to sight in his rifle on the 100-yard target. Mr. Vogel used a newly acquired camera and receiver to monitor the target up close, so that sighting in the scope based on each shot became a more efficient process. After about two hours, the Vogels headed back through the countryside towards home.
The end of the afternoon consists of a lift—back and bi’s—and then food.
“There’s a new Chipotle five minutes down the road from my house now,” Vogel laughs on his way way out the door. “I’ve been like eight times since it opened a month ago.”
