RLD-HERALD
Academic Team
E SOME HISTORY
members of The World-Herald’s 2017 All State Academic Team amassed impressive credentials during high school: top titions. • They will leave Omaha in the fall and spread out across the country. • Destinations include Alabama-Huntsville, niversity of Minnesota, one to possibly Colorado Springs for the Air Force Academy (it’s that or the Naval Academy in answers they shared to questions that tell you a little bit more about this year’s team. • We promise, you will be wowed.
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L O C AT I O N : F I R S T N AT I O N A L B A N K ’ S P I O N E E R C O U R A G E PA R K .
HEIDI THORSON/THE WORLD-HERALD
THE 2017 ALL-STATERS
1 of 544; National Merit finalist Joseph Turner ssachusetts Institute ring in engineering
Colorado School of National Merit; UNL Regents high school: Nobody going on either. It’s till you make it” e most part people what’s supposed to ght as well step up made high school so
end his free time: o relax from all of hectic events I have, n the couch or in a feel all of the stress
ng: Sometimes I’ll ord on Spotify and rst song it gives me. ry odd music out ce in a while you get
outlet: I could live honestly. I use but I’m not really social media. w, envisions himself: signing the sets , with all of the nd set pieces and re part of a giant
eteria food? I have a chicken sandwiches, have at school are a
6 KEENAN ALLEN
Lincoln East; 4 of 420; 36 ACT/ 1570 SAT; National Merit finalist Parents: Bill Allen and Jodi Allen College plans: University of NebraskaLincoln’s Jeffrey S. Raikes School of Computer Science & Management, with majors in actuarial science, finance, statistics Scholarships: UNL Regents, Chancellor’s, Honors Textbook, Forrest C. Blood Jr., Hudl; National Association of Insurance and Financial AdvisorsCornhusker; National Merit What he wished someone had told him about succeeding in high school: I wish I’d known my freshman year how to effectively manage my time, and to avoid putting work off until the last minute. What he does in his free time: I love to spend my free time reading and watching TV or hanging out with friends. Something people might be surprised to know: I really enjoy wood shop classes. My sophomore year I designed and built a bookshelf, which was by far my favorite project in high school. The social media outlet he couldn’t live without: Reddit What he sees himself doing 10 years from now: I’m not completely sure, but I’ve always loved math and I’d like to be doing something involving the use of statistics and probability for predictive/ analytic purposes. His favorite cafeteria food: French bread garlic pizza
7 DARREL CHEW
Omaha North; 1 of 350; 35 ACT/ 1570 SAT; National Merit finalist Parents: Lian Ti and Chin Chew College plans: University of AlabamaHuntsville, majoring in chemical engineering Scholarships: National Merit; Fordham University; UNL College of Engineering, Regents, Math Day 2016; Northwest Missouri State Math Olympiad; AlabamaHuntsville Charger Excellence, housing; Vanderbilt National Merit; Omaha North High-Fred W. McLafferty; Omaha North Foundation-George and Sally Haddix Memorial Key to his high school success: I needed to get out of my comfort zone. I didn’t find myself happy my first years of high school, but I learned to push myself to places I wasn’t entirely comfortable with. I believe this has been instrumental to my success. What he does in his free time: I like to scan Quiz Bowl packets to find topics that I can further look up and learn more about. I also follow a lot of sports, and I find myself looking at a lot of random trivia and statistics. People may be surprised to know: Even though I have almost no athleticism, I enjoy playing sports with friends, especially basketball. I probably try too hard and take it too seriously, but it is my way of escaping from the harder parts of life. Favorite social media outlet: I only really use Snapchat. Ten years from now you might find him: Doing something that I love every day. I want to be in a position where I can learn more every day and use that knowledge in a meaningful way. Favorite school cafeteria food: I don’t eat cafeteria food too often, so I don’t really have a favorite.
8 MILES KAY
Omaha Central; 1 of 521; 35 ACT/ 1590 SAT; National Merit finalist Parents: Laurie and Charles Kay Jr. College plans: University of Southern California, majoring in mechanical engineering Scholarships: USC Presidential, University; National Merit; Nebraska Academic Decathlon Foundation; UNL Regents, David Hawksworth; UNO Regents; Central High School Foundation-Virginia Lee Pratt; Dundee PTO-Thomas Hunter Memorial; Omaha Schools Foundation-Donald F. and Mildred Topp Othmer On succeeding in high school: No matter how hard-working or intelligent you are, you’re always going to need a strong support system ... Whether these people are friends, family or teachers, focus on building positive relationships, because in the end those will become your most prized possessions. On free time: I love being outside or active — whether I’m taking my dogs for a walk, playing golf or tennis, or throwing a Frisbee with my friends. I’m always seeking out new adventures, whether within Omaha or with my family when traveling. I’m especially excited to take advantage of my proximity to the beach next year to pursue my love for surfing. People might be surprised to know: Since elementary school, I’ve dreamt of becoming an author and writing a bestselling novel. I’m hoping that someday I can make my childhood aspiration come true. Favorite social media outlet? I don’t think I could make it without Snapchat. It provides a more intimate connection than text messaging and feels more personal than any other form of social media. Ten years from now look for him to be: Working as an engineer at a company producing sustainable transportation technologies. I’ve always been passionate about the environment, and I hope this love takes me into a field where I can make a difference and protect the planet from further degradation. Favorite school cafeteria food: I’m lucky enough to have a culinarily talented mother who packs me a lunch every morning before school. Thanks, Mom.
9 NATE STIEREN
Elkhorn South; 8 of 264; 36 ACT/ 1530 SAT; National Merit finalist Parents: Susie and Dennis Stieren College plans: Either the Naval or Air Force Academy, to study engineering Scholarships: Elkhorn Public Schools Foundation ACHIEVE; National Merit; St. Paul’s Lutheran Church; UNL Regents; Minnesota Gold Scholar, National; Arizona State National Merit; Air Force Academy appointment; Texas-Dallas National Merit A tip for succeeding in high school: Use your class time wisely to get work done there, to save time after school for other activities. Free time is likely to be spent: Fishing, spending time with friends, TV Perhaps surprising to some: I am not a Husker fan. Favorite social media outlet: Twitter Ten years from now, find him: Serving in the Navy or Air Force, or working as an engineer Favorite school cafeteria food? Chicken wings
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