🎓 Valedictorian #4 Gavin Owens
➡️ Post Secondary School: Johns Hopkins University
đź“š Field of Study: Health, Sciences, and the Humanities
🦓 Began at CPS: Kindergarten
đź”´ What advice would you give your freshman self?
"Get involved in as many extracurriculars as you can! They provide a great opportunity to make friends, as well as a relief from constant classwork."
đź”´ What has the journey to this honor taught you about yourself?
"Never be afraid to ask for help! If you don't understand something in a class, often another student will have learned it in a slightly different way that clicks better."
đź”´ What does this accomplishment mean to you?
"To me, getting Valedictorian represents the culmination of my high school experience. All the late nights, early mornings, and after-school practices came together in this accomplishment."
đź”´ What was the hardest part (challenges) you had to overcome to achieve this honor?
"For me, the hardest part was fitting in extracurriculars while still having weighted classes. Luckily, I found a place in the school bands that provided relief from academic work and a way to make friends."
đź”´ What are you most proud of in your high school career?
"I was most proud when the marching band won the Stallion Battalion competition two years in a row."
đź”´ Looking back, what does being a Zebra mean to you?
"Being a Zebra means a sense of community—being surrounded by people who are willing to help and amazing friends."
đź”´ What ELEMENTARY staff member made the biggest impact on your life and how?
"Mrs. Kropp, my English and reading teacher, helped foster my lifelong love of reading and made learning fun."
đź”´ What JUNIOR HIGH staff member made the biggest impact on your life and how?
"Mrs. Lohmann, my math teacher, helped spark my love for mathematics and made it click."
đź”´ What HIGH SCHOOL staff member made the biggest impact on your life and how?
"Mr. Riggs, through the Biomed program, gave me opportunities to explore biomedical fields and grow academically."
đź”´ Activities you have been involved in:
"Band (Jazz, Marching, and Concert), Chemistry Club, Math Club (Mu Alpha Theta), National Honor Society, TSA"
đź”´ Honors / Awards:
"Z-Award x3, Elks Lodge Award x2, Tournament of Champions 1st place Calculus, 2nd place Business Math, AP Scholar with Honor"
đź”´ What is the ONE thing you absolutely take with you to college?
"One lesson I will take is to sign up for as many extracurriculars as possible to build community and balance schoolwork."
đź”´ Anything else you'd like to add about your experience at CPS?
"Shoutout to all the amazing people who helped me get here!"