While Mrs. Cheryl Kyrias is known for AP Seminar and U.S. History, she should be known for her music taste. Here are Kyrias’ most impactful songs.
What’s a song that defines your high school years?
“I went to Riverside Brookfield High School in Riverside, Illinois, and our mascot was the bulldogs. They played ‘Who Let the Dogs Out’ by Baha Men at every school sporting event. So when I think about high school, I always think about that song.”
What’s a song that you wish you had written?
“I really like Mariah Carey, and she wrote all of her own songs, too. She’s like the precursor to Taylor Swift, except not country. So, I always wish I had written ‘Always Be My Baby’ by Mariah Carey. That’s such a great song.”
What’s a song that represents where you are in life right now?
“I have never actually seen The Greatest Showman. I probably should— I like musicals. I really like Kesha, so her vision of ‘This is Me’ represents where I am in life right now. I’m 39, I’ll be 40 next year, and I just really resonate with doing your own thing.”
What’s a song that perfectly captures your personality?
“Sia’s ‘Unstoppable.’ I just feel like I cram a lot into my life.”
What’s a song that you were wrong about?
“I never really liked classic rock until I started watching Glee. I would have never listened to Journey on my own, but I really liked the Glee version of ‘Faithfully’ by Journey. That song was meant to be a duet. And the same thing with Beatles songs. Now I know all the songs, and it really makes my husband mad because I only know all the songs because of Glee.”
What’s a song that instantly transports you to a different time and place?
“We’ll go with Boyz II Men, ‘End of the Road,’ but really anything by Boyz II Men. I used to listen to all of their cassette tapes growing up, and this was before there were any CD players. Also, I would say Selena Quintanilla. I was introduced to her English songs after she died, like ‘Dreaming of You.’ Then I found out she was murdered by the president of her fan club.”
What’s a song that inspires you to be creative?
“When I’m trying to focus on something and I can’t listen to a podcast because I want to actually focus, I like to listen to anything by the Piano Guys. They cover everything— Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga. But it’s all classical, so you don’t get distracted.”
What’s a song that you would play as your walk-up song?
“‘Everybody’ by the Backstreet Boys. I just love the Backstreet Boys.”
If you walk past the third-floor history classes, you’ll probably hear music coming from Kyria’s room. Stop in for a recommendation!
