Ronald Fox is a well-rounded teen who enjoys academics, athletics and the arts.

The Lampeter-Strasburg High School senior, who is the son of Ron Jr. and Darlene Fox of Strasburg, ranks ninth in his class of 282 students and is a commended National Merit Scholar.

The 18-year-old aspires to be a computer engineer.

"I got hooked as a freshman, when I took a computer programming course," he said.

"I'm into making games rather than playing games. I like to see what goes on behind everything. I'm interested in the hardware, making computers better, faster and do more."

Fox hopes to attend the University of Pennsylvania on a Navy ROTC scholarship. He won't know if he's accepted until March.

He anticipates serving at least five years in the Navy after college.

"I could be a navigation's officer on a ship," he said. "I'd like to go that way."

He already has been accepted at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the University of Pittsburgh (in the honors class), Penn State University and the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. He also has received a nomination to the U.S. Naval Academy.

His sister, Jocelyn, 21, is a senior at the Naval Academy. He also has a sister, Gabrielle, 17, an L-S junior.

In fourth grade, Fox began playing alto saxophone and later added baritone saxophone and clarinet.

He has played eight years in the L-S Concert Band, where he was named the best player in the woodwind section, and two years in the jazz band, performing in the Cocalico Jazz Festival last year.

Fox has played ice hockey for 13 years, including eight years with the Lancaster Firebirds traveling team and two years with the Regency Ice Cats tournament team. This year, he is playing for the L-S team.

"My parents took me to a couple of open skates when I was little. I saw kids playing hockey and said, 'I want to do it.' I borrowed an older cousin's gear and have been playing ever since."

He hopes to continue on the ice in college — "probably just clubs" — and to join adult leagues after college.

Since 10th grade, Fox has played lacrosse for L-S, after switching from the track team, throwing discus and shot-put as a freshman.

"Once you do a contact sport, you can't stop," he said.

Last year, Fox joined the L-S Quiz Bowl team and was voted as "most valuable player." This year, he is team treasurer.

"Friends convinced me and another hockey player to try it," he said. "We haven't been hit on the head too much."

Fox took Advanced Placement physics and calculus last year and is taking chemistry and computer science this year.

Once or twice a week, he practices archery, shooting traditional long bows.

"I started a couple of years ago. I thought it was cool."

Fox works as a cook at Isaac's Restaurant in Strasburg — every day in the summer and two or three nights a week during the school year.

A member of St. John Neumann Catholic Church, he has volunteered for the past six years for the annual Knights of Columbus pig roast.

"One person has to stay overnight. It's usually my dad and me. We make the pork, then roast 600 ears of corn. That's hot work."

In the summer of 2008, Fox went to England, France, Belgium and the Netherlands as a student ambassador for People to People.

Last summer, he spent a week in the Coast Guard's Academy Introduction Mission, on a team awarded Honors Company.

"It was one week of complete immersion into life as a Coast Guard cadet. It was a love/hate thing. You hate it at the time but love it afterward. I got through it. I take some pride in that."

In his spare time, Fox reads "anything — science fiction, nonfiction, fiction." The most recent book he remembers enjoying was Ayn Rand's "Atlas Shrugged."

And he enjoys going to the movies with his friends. His take on "Avatar" is colored by his computer background.

"It has ridiculous graphics. I loved it, but I realize how much work goes into each moment," he said.