This was previously published in our December 2024 issue.
On the night of the Homecoming Dance, a banana seized the dance floor. The eccentric Homecoming outfit left Emmaus High School students wonder ing: who is beneath the peel?
Senior Jacob Ackerman, the banana in question, shares his story beyond the peel. One of Ackerman’s many role models, EHS alum Rafael Diaz, began the unique tradition the year prior, dressing up as the pope for Homecoming.
“I didn’t want to copy him exactly, but I wanted to kind of keep the tradition going,” Ackerman said. “So I did dress up as a banana for Homecoming.”
As shown by his interesting choice of Homecoming attire, Ackerman values being a light-hearted and fun guy above all else.
“I thought that it was kind of silly — kind of funny, and I thought that everyone else was kind of vibing with it as well,” Ackerman said.
Ackerman also enjoyed giving out blessings during Halloween as the Pope.
“Halloween was fun, knocking on everybody’s doors,” Ackerman said. “I got to bless a few people who were actually Catholic.”
Ackerman’s biggest dream is for his band, Flytrap, to become famous Hardcore music being their main genre. His goal for this summer is to get the band’s name “out there” prior to leaving for college.
With music as his primary passion, many of his role models are lead singers in his favorite bands, such as Fred Durst from Limp Bizkit and Jonathan Davis from Korn.
Ackerman participates in many music classes, sings with the choir, is president of EHS’ men’s acapella group, Fermata Nowhere, and plays guitar and piano. Being such an involved student, Ackerman tends to get overwhelmed at times, but he finds ways to deal with that stress.
“When I’m spending time with the people I love, I can put all the stuff that’s stressing me out behind me,” Ackerman said. “I feel like being able to spend time and connect with people and just forget about that stuff a little bit — [to] just laugh and talk together is great.”
He values loyalty and support in his relationships with friends, the band, and partner, junior Ash Antonini. Ackerman’s bandmate, senior June Conrad, appreciates his focus on creating personal connections.
“With some of the other bands I’ve been in, it’s just practice, play, and all that,” Conrad, the lead guitarist in Flytrap, said. “But we go out to eat after every practice, and you can actually hang out like real friends.”
Ackerman was able to create a band environment that allows the bandmates to have a close bond, rather than just business. Not only did the banana become a large piece of his reputation in high school, but this light-hearted tradition is already translating to his college experience as well.
Ackerman, wishing to continue studying music in college, visited West Chester University.
Being the banana of EHS, Ackerman felt that everything came full circle when he became aware that West Chester hosts a banana day.
“All the food everywhere is banana-themed and everyone dresses up as bananas,” Ackerman said.
Ackerman hopes to make a positive impact on the people around him and to keep his environment inclusive. He values positivity and the concept that nobody is perfect.
“Don’t change yourself for anybody else because other people are going to want you to be a certain way, or try to fit you into this mold especially in high school,” Ackerman said. “Just be yourself, be real, and don’t judge anybody.”
Follow the band on Instagram: @flytrap.hxc
