Some work, some play makes Allen Moreno top Lodi Academy grad

Recent graduate Allen Moreno doesn't have much to say about being valedictorian of his class at Lodi Academy. But then again, Allen doesn't usually have much to say about anything.

Allen, a tall, lanky 18 year old, usually defers to his smile — a shy, though giant display of teeth and winkles that's enough to elicit a grin out of anyone — to answer just about any question.

After finishing many of his high school requirements in his first two years, Allen was able to take just four classes in both his junior and senior year. While his classmates were still working away, Allen escaped from school at about 1:30 every day.

"The last two years have been really easy," Allen said.

Although he spent the better part of the last two years doing the activities he truly enjoys, like playing video games, practicing his basketball skills and working out — 155-pound Allen is up to a 225-pound bench press — his ticket to freedom didn't come without a lot of work.

In his first two years, Allen took an online pre-calculus class from Stanford University, a feat he doesn't recommend.

"I had to teach (it to) myself," he said.

During the summer after his eighth-grade year, he stayed with his aunt in Florida and took honors algebra classes that are usually taught to high school juniors.

However, after all the time off, Allen isn't worried about the full class load that he'll carry when he moves on to Pacific Union College in the fall.

"I usually buckle down when I have to," Allen said.

Allen will enter Pacific Union as a pre-dental major, and plans to join his parents, who are both dentists, in their practice after he finishes dental school.

While Allen's father, Michael Moreno, is proud of his son's accomplishments, he said he'll miss having his buddy around. Janice and Michael Moreno are also parents to Elise Moreno, 5, and Stephen Moreno, 16.

The Moreno family recently said goodbye to another member, Daniel Cheng, a Taiwanese exchange student who stayed with the Morenos for two years while he attended Lodi Academy.

Daniel shared a room with Allen during his stay.

"It's weird without him here," Allen said.

Allen's parents aren't the only ones who will miss their son, though. Elise Moreno is used to hanging out with her brother in the pool and riding on his shoulders. Come fall, the pair, along with the rest of the family, will have to reserve those times for Allen's visits back home.

"I think he's ready," said Janice Moreno on Allen leaving for college. "He tends to be a little more to himself, but over the last year he's really grown."

Contact reporter Amanda Dyer at amandad@lodinews.com.