ST R STUDENTS Sunday, May 26 «» Akron Beacon Journal «» Section e Hudson’s Gan aces tests of life Standout senior swimmer loves challenge, is planning to pursue a career in medicine By Doug Livingston better,” she said. “Not many Beacon Journal education writer career choices allow you HUDSON: If being a that opportunity to improve doctor is hereditary, then someone’s life every day.” the profession skipped a Being an ideal candidate generation in Connie Gan’s for the medical profession family. requires focus, compassion Her parents emigrated and what her parents call from China in the 1990s “smart hands.” amid an Internet boom. Gan would play with They found fitting careers Legos for hours as a child. in finance and technology. Her parents recognized her But Connie’s career plans diligence and steady hands. have deeper family ties. Her father built on her “All four of my focus and cultivated her grandparents are in passion for learning from China, and they are all an early age. He often gave doctors,” said Gan, a her homework to complete second-generation Chinese when she had finished immigrant and Hudson the work her school had High School senior. assigned. Gan, 17, an Akron Beacon “At times I didn’t Journal Top 25 Star Student, understand why I was doing plans to follow in her it. But in the end, I guess I grandparents’ footsteps. can only thank him,” she She made the choice after said. her best friend’s mother She has been accepted to died of stomach cancer and several universities across her grandfather also was the country, including diagnosed with cancer. Rice University in Texas, “I think it’s just the Case Western Reserve in opportunity to improve someone’s life for the Please see Gan, E6 Connie Gan Personal: 17, attended Hudson High School. Future plans: Enrolled at Washington University in St. Louis, with plans to major in chemical engineering or biomedical engineering en route to career as a physician. Favorite movie: Miracle. Favorite TV shows: Big Bang Theory, New Girl, Grey’s Anatomy, Friends. Favorite bands: Imagine Dragons, Maroon 5. Most recent book read: Tuesdays with Morrie. “So inspirational!” ED SUBA JR./Akron Beacon Journal One thing people might not know about you: I have traveled to Hudson High School senior Connie Gan (right) and Advanced Placement biology teacher Ben Frampton work with eighth-grader Liz Fry. 13 U.S. states and 14 countries on four continents. Gan, a second-generation Chinese student, plans on becoming a doctor like all four of her grandparents who live in China. Advice for other students: Dreams will come true, only if you have the drive and passion to accomplish them. Green’s Moresea reaches top Valedictorian of senior class has high expectations, works diligently to exceed all goals By Kathy Antoniotti Beacon Journal staff writer GREEN: George Moresea decided as a high school freshman he wanted to become Green High’s valedictorian at graduation. Four years later, he will graduate first in a class of 265 students in ceremonies June 4. He exceeded his own expectations, taking as many Advanced Placement classes as the school offered and will enter the University of Dayton with college credit toward a degree in chemical engineering. “I just asked myself, ‘Why can’t I be at the top of my class? I have the ability to do it,’ ” Moresea, an Akron Beacon Journal Top 25 Star Student, said in a recent interview. He credits his parents with his success and said he is the first to admit he has been blessed. “I am very privileged. My parents have a wonderful marriage, and I have always been provided for,” he said. Moresea has known since he was a small child that his future lay in a field built on mathematics and science. When he leaves for Dayton in August, he will follow a family tradition established by his mother, Brigitta, a pediatrician with a private practice, and his father, George, an anesthesiologist at Mercy Medical Center of Canton. Both are alums of Dayton, a private, Roman Catholic university. “I took AP calculus last year, and I loved it. This year, I took AP chemistry and I loved it even more. Everything in math and science has an answer, and it is concise,” he said. Green High School valedictorian George Moresea will follow in his parents’ footsteps by attending KAREN SCHIELY/Akron Beacon Journal Please see Moresea, E6 the University of Dayton in August. George Moresea Joey Chadbourne Personal: 18, attended Green High start own company. Morrie. Co-valedictorian of his class. Three varsity School; born in Pittsburgh and moved to Favorite movie: The Waterboy or Happy One thing people might not know about letters in swimming. Acceptance into the Green at age 2. Gilmore. you: I am licensed to captain a sailboat. honors programs of multiple universities. Future plans: Attend the University of Favorite television show: Fringe. Advice for other students: You have Meet Firestone’s Joey Chadbourne, one of this Dayton and major in chemical engineering, Favorite band: I enjoy every kind of to hold yourself to a high standard and year’s Top 25 Star Students. Story, Page A1. possibly moving into a five-year MBA music, so I don’t have a favorite by far, but always give everything your all. Only good program. Work in the field for a few years, Evanescence is definitely a top band. things can come from dedication, and you and later try to work in management or Most recent book read: Tuesdays with might even enjoy it. E2 Akron Beacon Journal / Ohio.com ♦ INFORMING. ENGAGING. ESSENTIAL. Sunday, May 26, 2013 ST R STUDENTS Honorable Honorable Brett Bejcek mention mention STOW-MUNROE FALLS those around you, you have the a smile on my face. My teachers Isaiah Breckbill GPA: 4.378; Rank: 2 of 446 possibility to change someone’s have been such an inspiration Central Christian High School Here are the 2013 Akron Bea- College: Ohio State University life. in their selfless dedication GPA: 3.898. Rank: 3 of 26. con Journal Star Student “honor- A smile is like Levi’s: It I know in my 18 years of and sacrifices made for their College: Goshen College. able mention” designees. never goes out of style. It is like existence, my students. No matter • Honor Roll all four years of high Students from Summit, Stark, MasterCard: priceless. It is like family, my the subject, they school. Portage, Medina and Wayne Kodak: providing you with the friends, and my always manage to • Pitchmaster for concert choir and counties are listed in alphabeti- opportunity to share moments teachers have go beyond course Varsity Singers. cal order by high school name. and to share life. And a smile had a tremendous material and teach • Two coach’s awards for soccer, Guidance counselors were asked is like Verizon: It allows you to impact on my life. me life lessons. one for baseball. to submit up to two students per make progress, every day. They have truly While I have school for Star Student consider- Far too often in today’s promoted my been tremendously Sarah Miller ation. From those submissions, a society, youngsters and adults success and have blessed by my Central Christian High School screening committee pared the alike live on the verge of inner given me so many surroundings, GPA: 3.98. Rank: 1 of 26. list to 52 semifinalists for this turmoil. Although they may opportunities others out there College: Wheaton College. year’s Top 25 honors. Students seem outwardly fine, stress to ensure that I have not been so • Wayne County volleyball all-star; who made that initial cut to the and uncertainty have a way always look at fortunate. Now is team placed second in Division IV semifinals but who were not se- of turning an individual’s life the bright side of the time to build state playoffs. lected for the Top 25 are noted upside down. What may seem life. My family up, instead of tear • Concert Choir, Varsity Singers. with an asterisk (*) next to their like an insignificant greeting, a supports me in down. Now is the • Church and volunteer activities. names. Under each name are the smile can shed light on the true all my endeavors time to put your student’s GPA and class rank (as compassion of the human spirit and has instilled true character, *-Emily Dunn of mid April) and the student’s and ensure that someone out in me a love for leadership and Chippewa High School self-selected top accomplish- there cares. After all, a smile is knowledge, service, service skills to GPA: 4.08. Rank: 6 of 120. ments from high school. like Nokia: It connects people. and God. My friends are simply use. Be the change you want College: Trine University or Ohio The little actions rooted in the greatest. They truly care to see in the world and leave a Northern University. Matthew Onders kindness and compassion have about the world in which they little impression of compassion • President of Leo Club (school’s Archbishop Hoban High School the capability to shape the way live; each day, they remind me to on everyone you meet. Change Lions Club). GPA: 4.460. Rank: 2 of 194. an individual sees the world. enjoy the simple pleasures in life lives, live life. Be like Nike, and • Drum major in marching band for College: University of Notre Dame. By getting connected with and take each step forward with just do it! two years. • National Merit Scholarship finalist. • First place in countywide speech/ • Math Club president debate competition.