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The “Who’s Who” among American High School Students
Yearly Award.
Once a Year, the ECI accepts nominations from all American High Schools through out the USA and overseas, of students attending these Schools whom the school’s Faculty has recognized as hard and diligent workers and as students committed to their studies. The ECI has stated in the past that the Who’s Who among America’s High School Students represents the “top 5%” of America’s students.
Last year (School year 2006-2007) my family was honored to learn that the Northstar’s faculty had nominated my younger brother Nicholas (Nick Pavlopoulos) as a nominee for this award.
Nick has been blessed with having some of the best teachers/instructors of NSA guiding him the last 3 years. If my pride for our school and its faculty seems to be “over exaggerated” please understand that I say this because we have some of the best teachers any school would be fortunate enough to have. I’ve attended many schools in the past and next to ACS of Athens, Greece, NorthStar is definitely of the best. The “atmosphere”, the lessons, and the flexibility are things which are unique to NS. Much of what makes NS what it is, is due to teachers/instructors like Mr. Hooks (Hoeksema), Mr. Elmer Baxter, Mr. Tom Devries, Mr. Marty Leenhouts, Mrs. Joanne Krueger (no longer with NS), Mrs. Cheryl Klinker, and Mrs. Pam Horneck (just to name a few).
NorthStar offers students with a very distinct opportunity that “normal” brick-and-mortar schools simply do not offer or would prefer not to offer: the ability for students to challenge courses. With determination, commitment and setting a goal to achieve, my brother and other students have challenged various courses to “get ahead of the game.” Proof of the great possibilities of being able to challenge courses can be seen in the fact that we have 10th graders on NS actually taking AP Courses. Personally, I can’t say I’d even consider taking an AP Course due to my schedule! I have seen the amount of effort such courses take, and any student handling an AP Course is most likely a “high-caliber” student.
A very important aspect I need to mention here is that if not for the encouragement and support of the NS teachers, perhaps Nick would have never had considered “challenging him self” to finish nearly all high School mathematics within one year, and that including Geometry, Physical Science, Biology while still taking Chemistry and the courses that were required in 9th Grade.
I know what you maybe thinking, but please read-on. This isn’t just about my brother ;).
When the 2007 edition of the “Who is Who among American Students” arrived recently, sure of course I was extremely proud to see my brothers name listed in there among all of the other nominated students from all over the US States and abroad. However, what was even more interesting to see was that the names of no less than 5 NorthStar Academy students were listed. Such a thing surely says something good about our school.
This is the main reason that I mentioned above Nick’s achievement in all those subject courses, which he achieved in roughly 12 months starting from the school tear of 2006-07. Of course he worked hard (just as I’m sure the other nominated students did); day in and day out, through the whole summer almost. Many times I’d be shocked to see him up at 4am doing some subject (that I came to despise) and continue on past midnight (of the same day). However, I can’t say that he would have achieved any of this without the support and encouragement of his teachers, and the opportunity which was given to him by NS.
I’m sure many of you can relate to this: It’s not to long ago that I remember overhearing my parents discussing the idea (the very frightening idea) of perhaps taking their children away from the “norm,” the security of the four walls of the “physical school and classroom.” They didn’t know anything about NorthStar except some recommendations that they were given by other parents using the service, and that of the schools web-site. However, today they are so grateful that they did go ahead with this concept, as Nick and I are also. Don’t’ get me wrong, it has had its own share of ups and downs... but so far, the “end has justified the means.”
As I said above, we have opportunities in front of us that are almost impossible to obtain in many “structured educational Systems” such as neighborhood/city/state schools. I strongly encourage students to take from the examples of other hard-working students on NS and do all that they can. Mediocrity isn’t a trait which stands out in today’s world, it is surely welcomed by those who want to pull us down to the level of limited output though! But if you want to stand out and if you want to excel in life, always strive to do your best, and don’t forget to be proud of what you create (not excessively though ;)).
Out of the Top 5% students through out the USA school system and overseas American schools, five students this past year were of the North Star Academy (or more). Let’s all take a moment and congratulate those students who were nominated this past year (if possible), I have listed their names below.
Erika Bremer
*Names taken from the Who's Who Among American HighSchool Students Book
*I apologize if any names are missing. If names are missing, please contact me at mannyp@northstar-academy.org with the names that are missing and the pages on which the names are located in the book mentioned above.