Sumter's Next Generation, presented by TheLINK: Sumter High sophomore River Schoenfeldt talks stepping up, stepping out to find his voice

River Schoenfeldt was a year late to orchestra. Most students picked up their instruments in sixth grade, learning the fundamentals and working through those laughable blunders together. By the time he joined in August of his seventh-grade year, they were far ahead of him. But he wasn't discouraged - just curious.

He picked up the violin, listened, watched and worked twice as hard to catch up. By that November, something clicked.

That decision - stepping out of his comfort zone, stepping up to a challenge - has become a pattern in his life. Now, as a 16-year-old sophomore at Sumter High School, rather than following along, he's leading the way as concertmaster for the school's award-winning Sinfonia Orchestra.

"Music is a big thing in my family," River shared. "A certain thing about orchestra that just makes me happy is how the strings sound together. I think working collaboratively as a group, it makes a better effort for not only yourself, but for a major ensemble, and leadership can come from the back and the front. It really just depends on who you are and how confident you are as a player."

Confidence - another attribute River had to master. Last year, he applied to be concertmaster, a role he didn't think he was a shoo-in for but was willing to give a try. Stepping into the role changed everything for him, taught him how to lead, how to set the tone for his fellow musicians and how to make them work and sound as one. There was a learning curve, but River, with the help of orchestra director Erik Hines, realized he was capable of more than he thought.

That realization carried over into other parts of his life. As a freshman, River would serve as treasurer for his freshman Student Government Association, a more behind-the-scenes role. This year, with his newfound confidence, he succeeded in becoming sophomore class president. The role tested him and forced him to grow and think critically about leadership, attending leadership camps and participating in activities to prepare him for what comes with leading the charge. It's been a challenge, one he's embraced fully.

In other avenues, River has made a name for himself in the Sumter arts community, namely at Sumter Little Theatre. Starting as the shy kid who steered clear of starring roles, he's gained confidence under those quaint houselights, delivering comedic lines and garnering warm laughter in roles like Buddy in "Elf Jr.: The Musical" and Pugsley in "The Addams Family: The Musical." He learned to adapt, taking on two characters that differ from his day-to-day demeanor, and gained a knack for being organized. Sticky notes, reminder apps, a full schedule mapped out in his head - he makes time for everything, including being a 16-year-old hanging out with friends.

If there's one thing he's learned through all this, it's stepping out of your comfort zone is the only way to grow. He knows what it's like to start late, to feel behind, to wonder if you're good enough. But he also knows that pushing forward, even when it's uncomfortable, is what gets you anywhere.

"If you dive in first and you know how to swim, it'll be easy. But if you dive in headfirst and you don't know how to swim, then you're [constantly] reaching for the top again, trying to swim up. That's how it was for me," he expressed. "I had to teach myself. I kept swimming up, taking steps forward, taking a leap forward. You can't be behind if you want to be somewhere else."