Rhodes

General Impression:
- Described St. Louis as having a dangerous downtown area.
- Grew up in the county where it was safer for children.
- Enabled to visit downtown more freely as he grew older (junior year of high school).
Safety Considerations:
- Parents were strict due to gang violence and high crime rates in the downtown area.
Urban vs. Rural Experience:
- St. Louis viewed as a "flyover state" with low traffic but access to major facilities and sports teams.
- Identified as a "low key big city." Similarities drawn to Indianapolis.

Adaptability in Dangerous Situations:
- Developed a comfort with dangerous environments through experiences in St. Louis (e.g., attending baseball games).
- Emphasized a sense of confidence rather than nervousness in risky situations.
Diversity in Social Circles:
- Attendance in county high schools enhanced social interactions across multiple schools, creating diverse friendships.
- Shared that many friends were from different high schools, fostering a broad social network.

Religious Context:
- Predominantly Catholic environment with St. Louis being described as very Catholic.
- Rhodes was one of the few individuals who were not raised Catholic.
- Attended a private school that was not Catholic, amidst a landscape of numerous Catholic private schools.
Observations on Wealth:
- Acknowledged a divide between families with "new money" versus "old money."
- Expressed resentment towards "old money" attitudes and entitlement seen in certain social circles.

Immediate Family:
- Positive relationship with parents and sibling; referred to as perfect.
Extended Family:
- Lack of grandparents and distance from extended relatives.
- One uncle on the mom’s side who passed away and described as not having a meaningful impact, along with a cousin with cerebral palsy.
- Another cousin with an academic background but faced challenges related to drug use.
Dad’s Side of the Family:
- One aunt who raised a child independently, described as a “tweaker” yet nice. Child has an academic background in hotel management.

Mother:
- Previously worked; currently employed at Ditto, a resale nonprofit that supports Christian high schools in Missouri.
Father:
- Involved in commercial lending at Old National Bank, originating from a center in Evansville.

Impactful Life Moments:
- Admitted uncertainty about a defining moment that shaped him and needed time to reflect on this.
Faith as a Key Pillar:
- Developed a personal faith through experience in a Christian educational environment.
- Noted the importance of a senior-year class initiative that sparked student-led faith activities (prayer, chapel, bible studies).
- Described moments of collective change and camaraderie among peers.

Preferred Communication Style:
- Advocated for honesty and directness; expressed aversion to superficiality in interactions.
- Values tough love and straightforwardness as a form of respect.

Weakness:
- Acknowledged tendency to be independent, sometimes perceived as ego-driven. Struggles to merge group and personal endeavors.
Strength:
- Possesses resilience, described as "tough skin." Does not easily succumb to pressure or challenges in various situations.

Golf as a Hobby:
- Initially pursued golf competitively during junior year, aiming for collegiate play.
- Transitioned to viewing golf as a therapeutic hobby following burnout from the competitive circuit.
Openness to Play:
- Expressed interest in playing golf casually with peers.