RESERVE — Riverside Academy’s Adam Forsythe delivered a salutatorian speech last week recounting memories shared with his close-knit class of 74 students.

This fall, he’s trading small classes for giant lecture halls as he begins his journey in computer engineering at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. Though his class schedule is packed, Forsythe said the transition wouldn’t be too daunting because he looks forward to the freedom and responsibility that come with college.

He’s especially excited about an opportunity to get his foot in the door of the game design industry.

“I’ve always loved video games, especially the Madden franchise from EA Sports,” Forsythe said. “I want to be a part of designing that and creating content for the next generation of gamers.”

While conducting research for a college preparatory senior project, Forsythe discovered an EA studio stationed at LSU’s digital media center. He hopes an internship will teach him the ins and outs of the Florida-based corporation.

At Riverside, Forsythe was part of a robotics program that kicked off in January. In RA Ovations Drama Club, he took on a behind-the-scenes role, constructing sets and operating the sound booth.

He stayed active in Sr. BETA Club, Student Council and Mu Alpha Theta while earning 27 hours of college credit through dual enrollment courses.

Math teacher Joe Trosclair said Forsythe’s innate will to learn allowed him to excel in calculus, trigonometry and other difficult classes.

Forsythe’s true strength, according to Trosclair, is his capacity to care for his peers.

“He’s a kindhearted human being and a great kid,” Trosclair said. “There’s not much he wouldn’t do for other people, and that’s going to make him very successful in life.”

At graduation, Forsythe was awarded the Knights of Columbus Patriotic Award and placed second on a VFW Voice of democracy essay contest.

Among his extracurricular pursuits, Forsythe said his most meaningful was band. Since sixth grade, he’s played the trombone at football games and community concerts.

In 2016, he received the acclaimed John Phillip Sousa Award for outstanding musicianship and leadership qualities.

Band director Darryl Clement said Forsythe is an excellent problem solver.

“He doesn’t settle for mediocrity because he always strives to be the best,” Clement said. “I think he’s going to be a person to watch in the future because he’ll be a huge success in whatever he does.”

Forsythe said he balances fun and hard work to make his family proud.

“My dad has always worked extremely hard, working several jobs at a time just to be able to provide for us,” Forsythe said. “I use that as an inspiration to do well in school, knowing if I do well enough, I can get scholarships to help them out.”