By KEVIN DEVLIN
He’s a nice young boy who really loves growing up in a community that embraces youth. His name is Ryan McDonald. Ryan, 9, is the son of Nicole and Joe McDonald. His birthday is Jan. 16, so if you see him, wish him a happy birthday. His four grandparents are Karen and Joe, and Elaine and Mike. His family also has a German shepherd named Willie and a black cat named Sky.
Ryan is in the fourth grade and attends the Tynan Elementary School in South Boston. His favorite subject is reading and someday he hopes to be a Boston firefighter so he can help people. His favorite colors are orange, red, green, and pink for breast cancer awareness. His favorite food is chicken nuggets. And his favorite professional athletes are Stephen Curry, the current MVP in the NBA and star guard of the Golden State Warriors, and Rob Gronkowski, Patriots super tight end and Super Bowl champion.
In his leisure time, Ryan enjoys playing basketball with his friends in his backyard. He also plays video games and loves reading. He’s currently reading the book ‘Steve Jobs’ by Walter Isaacson. Ryan also recently finished reading ‘Charlotte’s Web,’ a well-known children’s book written by E.B. White, illustrated by Garth Williams and published in 1952.
In the world of sports, Ryan has been active in the South Boston Youth Soccer League since he was knee high to a grasshopper. He has been skating in the South Boston Youth Hockey League for two seasons and is on the peewee team. He is also currently on the Gate of Heaven CYO third and fourth grade travel hoop league team coached by his aunt, Danielle, his grandmother, Karen, and Elaina McCarthy. He likes “everything about soccer, scoring goals in hockey, and learning more about basketball each game.”
Five weeks ago, at the South Boston Boys and Girls Club, Ryan said he began helping out autistic kids. “I like helping people at the club,” he said. “I help and play with autistic kids. I help Jordan. I play with him and he loves going on the trampoline. I feel good when I help others out.”
