Terry Akers is a junior at Campus High School and is looking forward to summer break. He is a member of the high school marching band, scholars bowl and participates in other clubs on campus. Outside of school, Terry is a comrade for the Scouts BSA (formerly known as Boys Scouts) developing leader-like characteristics through outdoor activities, educational programs, and community projects.
Terry’s favorite class was World History with Mr. Ditton his freshman year. He finds an ongoing interest in studying Chemistry mentioning the more he learns, the more questions he has which in return makes him want to understand more. He is least interested in art class explains Akers.
“I am not very good at painting or drawing so I don’t like to learn how to paint or draw. However, I like to see other people’s works of art,” said Terry.
Mr. Ditton is the Scholars Bowl advisor and has had the pleasure of coaching Terry for the past three years.
“Terry is an extremely hardworking student that stands out with his knowledge of history and Russian composition,” Mr. Ditton commented.
Russian author Leo Tolstoy is a historical person he would spend the day with.
“Tolstoy is my favorite author because he is the one who has been the most eye opening, and who I feel like has understood my perspective the most,” said Terry.
Terry’s friends gave him his nickname, Teriyaki and would most likely say that he is smart but says funny things sometimes.
If given the opportunity to be principal for a day, his first rule of business would be to change the school lunch. If he was forced to work but didn’t need the money, he would work on whatever interested him in that moment.
“Maybe I would work on writing a book, or cleaning up some land, or helping research and developing something,” said Terry.
Terry offers some advice to the underclassmen.
“If you are interested in going to a really good school, like an Ivy league school, read Cal Newport’s book, ‘How to become a high school superstar.’ Personally, after reading the book, I realized that going to an Ivy league probably isn’t for me, and that if I wanted a really good chance at making it, I needed to form certain habits years ago. He (Newport) explains how getting a 4.0 and joining all the clubs and activities is not going to help. You understand what you need to do to set yourself up. The earlier you read it, the better. Also, I would read Atomic Habits by James Clear,” said Terry.
Terry is interested in attending the University of Kansas in the Fall of 2023.
“I have changed what career I am interested in a lot, now I am interested in a field in chemistry like pharmaceutical chemistry or a chemical engineer,” said Terry.
