Observer All-Star Scholars: How they are inspired to accomplish great things

They aspire to be doctors, scientists, engineers and teachers. But what stands out most about the 2016 Charlotte Observer Seniors of the Year is what they have accomplished.

Two created programs to help teach girls about engineering. Another helped start a prom for people with disabilities. And a third uses his art to advocate for the LBGT community.

What inspired them? Teachers and family, more than anything. But the aspirations of the Class of 2016 also took root in their own experiences.

Sara Dworak’s career calling was influenced by a childhood illness. The Hopewell High School salutatorian said severe childhood ear infections left her with advanced hearing loss and speech problems. Her hearing returned after surgery, but it took 10 years of therapy for her to speak clearly.

She wants to become a physician specializing in disorders of the ear, nose and throat -- working with Doctors Without Borders to help people around the world who might not have easy access to medical care.

Marlena Heracklis of Forestview High School, also an Observer scholarship recipient, started “Night to Shine,” a prom for young people with disabilities. Her inspiration: Her own brother, who has autism.

“It changed my life,” she said of the prom. “Just the smiles on their faces.... I love caring for others...”

Service to others was a dominant theme for this year’s honorees, said Observer Publisher Ann Caulkins.

“They are bright, creative, passionate young people who are amazingly grounded and mature for their ages,” Caulkins said. “There is no question they will accomplish great things in their lives. Most impressive is their care for others and their commitment to service.”

In interviews, many students spoke of how they wanted to make a difference in the lives of others.

Concord High School’s Brandon Moore has long wanted to be a teacher. “As a kid I always played teacher,” he said. “I would teach my teddy bears.”

Now he wants to be an English teacher, and he’s undeterred by the prospect of low pay, a persistent concern of many in the profession. “Helping students and helping our future and the world is more important than a paycheck,” he said.

East Mecklenburg High’s Madeline Garcia noticed that girls are underrepresented in engineering programs. “When you take a poll in middle school, a lot of girls say they want to be a lawyer or doctor,” Madeline said. “They don’t know what engineering is.”

So Madeline co-founded Girls Engineer, a program through which she and a classmate brought exciting activities, even bottle rockets, to middle school girls. Madeline said she hopes girls will see broader career options.

Parker Greaves of Olympic-Rennaisance School of Arts and Technology has found ways to combine his passions for art and human rights. As a transgender student, his artwork often expresses themes that advocate for tolerance and acceptance.

His entry for the 2015 Congressional Art Competition, a national high school contest, was a drawing of a transgender man. It conveys Greaves’ belief that transgender people should be accepted as they are.

As they leave the familiar surroundings of high school, these seniors remain open to new experiences. Hopewell’s Sara Dworak was philosophical on that point:

“I love the idea of never being the same person for the rest of my life,” she said. “I love to try new things. You never know where you’ll find your next passion.”

The list of scholarship recipients also includes:

▪ Ryan Kapur, Northwest School of the Arts, who is passionate about musical theater and headed to Harvard University.

▪ Nickolas Lowell, South Mecklenburg High, who is interested in people from different cultures and also headed to Harvard.

▪ Hanna Archer of Lake Norman Charter, who helped start a movement at her school to combat bullying.

▪ Amanda Conti, Porter Ridge High School, who created a Girls in Stem club, and is headed to Duke University.

▪ Samantha Whitley of Fort Mill High, who started a Republican Club at her school to combat apathy and is headed to Furman University.

This marks the 60th year area scholars have been recognized. The Charlotte News began the tradition in 1956 and The Observer continued it when the News ceased operations in the 1980s.

This year, 96 schools from across the Charlotte region selected 144 students as All-Star Scholars. The students were recognized based on academic performance, citizenship, community service and extracurricular activities. From their respective groups, each school nominated one Senior of the Year candidate. An in-house Observer panel selected 30 Senior of the Year finalists based on resumes and essays submitted by the schools.

Those finalists were interviewed by an independent panel of judges who selected the 10 scholarship winners. Each will receive $1,000.

Judges included Latin Chamber of Commerce Director Rocio Gonzalez; Duke Energy Philanthrophy Executive Shawn Heath; UNC Charlotte Assistant Provost Leslie Zenk; Observer Editorial Page Editor Taylor Batten; and Publisher Ann Caulkins.

This story was originally published June 3, 2016 at 3:27 PM with the headline "Observer All-Star Scholars: How they are inspired to accomplish great things."