Whiz Kid: Ferndale Senior Accepted to MIT – But There's More

Jordan Haines

• Age: 17
• School:
• Accomplishments:
  • I have a 4.0 GPA and got a 2,200 on my SAT.
  • I am a National Achievement Scholar.
  • I am president of my class and our chapter of the National Honor Society.
  • I was drum major of the marching band for two years (state champions -- Woot Woot!).
  • I have served on the executive board of our student government (United Student Assembly).
  • I was opinion editor for our school newspaper.
  • I have been accepted to MIT.
  • I have received offers of seven full-ride scholarships and four half-ride scholarships to various universities.
  • I am a part of two mentoring groups: CARES (Creative Arts Reinforcing Educational Socialization),  a mentoring group centered around mentoring special needs students; and LAWS (Leaders Acting With Students), a mentoring group centered around mentoring freshmen.
• Key to awesomeness: "I think the key to awesomeness is finding something to become passionate about and sticking to it. It is important to persevere with every endeavor; I find that the only time I'm disappointed with the outcome of a situation is when I gave up or didn't follow through. An important part of this passion is setting lofty goals and actively pursuing them. The pursuit of these goals often becomes more rewarding than actually attaining them. In the end, whether or not you ultimately achieve your goal is largely irrelevant. What is most important is sustaining a steadfast purpose and direction in your drive to succeed."

Each week, Ferndale Patch seeks suggestions from readers for individual kids, youth groups, teens and even sports teams that wow us with their accomplishments. We want to hear about these amazing children and teens and select one each week as the Ferndale Patch Whiz Kid.  Submit your nomination in our comment box below or e-mail Terry.Parris@patch.com. Be sure to include all of the following information:

• Nominator's name and e-mail address
• Whiz Kid's name, age and school
• Whiz Kid's accomplishment
• Whiz Kid's key to awesomeness (what made him/her successful?)

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