As the school year comes to an end, seniors are ready to graduate and finally begin life in the “real” world.
Concord High Senior, Pablo Rubin, is one of those eager to see what comes next.
Rubin said he’s grown a lot in his time at CHS. “I’ve grown in like every way possible. I mean, like, academically I know what I can handle. I know how to manage my time better. Well, I mean I’m still not good at managing my time, but I can do it better.”
Not only has he seen growth academically, but also in his extracurriculars, including theater and dance.
In addition to being involved in National Honors Society, CAST (Concord Academic Student Theater) and Chamber singers, Rubin works with Peacock Players, a production company down in Nashua, and also dances at the Eastern Ballet Institute here in Concord. “That takes up most of my time,” he said.
Being a very accomplished figure in the world of theater, Rubin has had many outstanding moments on stage, but most recently his role as engineer in last year’s production of Miss Saigon made its way to the top of the list.
“Just getting that role . . . It was a huge thing to take,” Rubin recalled.
“It was crazy. Like I was basically an Asian pimp. He is very manipulative and does anything to prove himself, basically, so taking that on and being able to do it justice was definitely something I’m proud of. And the audience’s response and people were so positive and — it was really nice.”
Rubin will attend the Tisch School of Arts at New York University, where acceptance is highly competitive. “I don’t even know; it’s just crazy to me still. That was like my dream school,” he said.  “It’s going to be an incredible experience and opportunity.”
Rubin’s passion for the arts was not just a solo act. It was encouraged and inspired by so many supporters: family, friends, directors and choreographers, including Clint Klose, the director here at Concord High, Keith Weirich, his director down in Nashua, Val Nelson and Cristina White, his choreographers, and then Brandi Nylenreed, his dance teacher.

“I just think all of these people have seen me grow throughout the years and not only inspire me, but give me confidence and what I need to say that I can do this for a career and go on and major in this in college,” Rubin said.
“Without them I definitely could not have been accepted” at NYU, he believes.
Just as Rubin is anticipating a transition to Manhattan, a whole new crowd of students are ready to begin classes at CHS after coming from smaller schools like Rundlett Middle School or Deerfield Community School. That can be very intimidating.
Pablo offered this advice to incoming students: “If you’re kind and you’re not causing trouble then everyone will respect you, and I think that’s important to know people will help you as long as you respect them.”
Having respect for the upperclassmen is a big deal, but so is having respect for yourself, he said. “Don’t try to fit in. Be yourself. It’s very cliche, but, I mean, it’s very true. Your job is not to please others. It should be to embrace who you are.”
Rubin also has advice for next year’s seniors. “Definitely keep on top of all of your college applications and scholarships. Try to do them as early as possible because it’s very stressful.”
“At the same time you need to be able to step back, take a break and hang out with your friends . . . You can’t just be totally stressed out by college apps,” he said. 
Being able to find the happy medium between getting things done and enjoying senior year is a very important task. “And you need to know that It’s sort of out of your hands, which is scary, but you have to accept it,” Rubin said.
Rubin will be said to leave family and friends behind when he goes off to school.
“We’ve been together for so many years now,” he said. “For me personally, like I’m the only one that I know from this school that’s going to NYU next year. It’s not like I know anyone else going there so it’s going to be like starting completely new.”
“I’m not going to have my friends, my support system there, so it’s like I have to build a new one, which is cool, but it’s also, you know, sad because the people that I’ve been with for so long are going off on their own path,” he added.
Rubin plans to work this summer at RB Productions where he has already worked previous summers as a choreographer intern and assistant. This summer he has applied for a job to be an assistant choreographer/media tech.
“I think the media tech is physically, like, marketing through social media, which I think is pretty cool,” he said. “If I get that job, that’ll be what my July looks like.”
Besides work, Rubin hopes to spend time with friends. “I’m trying to lay low so I’ll have plenty of time to spend last moments with friends before heading off to college.”