🎓#1 Valedictorian - Adele Wilson
➡Next Steps: Northwestern University
📚Field of Studies: Materials Science and Engineering
🦓Zebra Since: Kindergarten
🔴What advice would you give your freshman self? I would tell my freshman self to be more open to talking to people! It seems intimidating, but some of the best friendships are made through taking a leap of faith.
🔴What has this journey taught you about yourself? Throughout my high school journey, I learned that stepping out of my comfort zone is so rewarding in the long run. Whether it's joining way too many clubs or cheering so loud that I lose my voice during school assemblies, each event at CHS has shown me the importance of living in the moment and trying new things. I discovered that I am a terrible multitasker, which helped me improve my time management skills. Staying driven is important, but I learned that overworking myself is exhausting, so I try to recharge whenever I can.
🔴What were the hardest challenges you had to overcome to achieve this honor? Because I am so involved with my extracurriculars, I am often absent due to school business activities. Since sophomore year, I have had more than 20 school business absences per year. With every school day that I miss, I have to spend more time learning lessons on my own in order to stay on top of my assignments. This was especially difficult when I was juggling multiple AP classes, state officer responsibilities, and back-to-back competitions.
🔴What does this accomplishment mean to you? Being a valedictorian and being the top of my class feels surreal. It has been something I have worked towards since freshman year, and it is such a rewarding way to complete my high school career.
🔴What are you most proud of in your high school career? I am proud of how much I have grown throughout the past four years. I am proud that I have no regrets: I took advantage of every opportunity that CHS, and high school as a whole, had to offer.
🔴Looking back on your school experience at CPS, what does being a Zebra mean to you? To me, being a Zebra is unique. It's a kind community that connects us all despite our differences.
🔴What elementary staff member made the biggest impact on your life, and how? Mrs. Bonham from Westside Elementary has impacted me in so many ways. She taught me the importance of staying curious and challenging myself. Her GT class holds some of my most cherished elementary school memories.
🔴What junior high staff member made the biggest impact on your life, and how? Mr. Isenbart from Will Rogers Junior High has been an amazing mentor throughout my life. Although I never had him as a teacher, his support as the TSA advisor encouraged me to involve myself in competitions and leadership opportunities.
🔴What high school staff member made the biggest impact on your life, and how? Throughout my high school career, I had many staff members who made an impact on my life. Mrs. Steidley, Mrs. Hammack, Ms. Golbek, Mrs. Hoffer, and Mrs. Grace have gone above and beyond to support me throughout my academic and personal life. I am so grateful for them, along with many other CHS staff members.
🔴What activities have you been involved in? Academic Team, AP/Pre-AP programs, Art Club, Book Club, Chemistry Club, Concurrent courses, FUZE, Math Club, National Honor Society, NTC, SkillsUSA, TSA, Student Council, World Language Club, Young Democrats, and ZUAC.
🔴What is the one thing you will absolutely take with you to college? I will be bringing a large container of hand sanitizer because I am a bit of a germaphobe, and I do not want to catch the "freshman flu" in college.
🔴Scholarships
Recipient of the QuestBridge National College Match Scholarship, Claremore Alumni Scholarship, YTIO Senior Portfolio Scholarship, and Academic All-State.
🔴Awards and Honors
(2024): Academic All-Stater, 1st Place Young Talent In Oklahoma Senior Portfolio, published artist for "Celebrating Art" magazine, Scholastic Art and Writing Competition: 2 gold keys, 2 silver keys in Drawing/Illustration
(2023): SkillsUSA State- 1st place Job Interview, Young Talent In Oklahoma President's Choice award, TSA State- 1st place Prepared Presentation
(2022): NASA SEES Intern, First Author for an Astronaut Photography research poster, CHS Art Show: Best of Show for piece "Blue Burning Beauty"
(2021): TSA Nationals- 2nd Place HS Chapter team, Outstanding Student in Art 1
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