#UCPSGrads: Weddington High senior Avery Kimbrough and Porter Ridge High senior Zoe Evans
Weddington High – Avery Kimbrough
Avery Kimbrough was a freshman at Weddington High when he realized he wanted to pursue a life of military service. At the same time, he also knew that he wanted to go to college.
So he set his sights on attending prestigious military academies after high school, and then worked to make that dream a reality. For four years, he took advanced level coursework, played sports and participated in numerous extracurricular activities.
The hard work paid off. After a lengthy application process, Avery has been accepted to the prestigious U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
As his senior year comes to a close, this is what Avery had to say about his time at Weddington High:
On West Point: I realized I wanted to join the military when I joined AFJROTC in high school. I really want to serve others so I felt like the best opportunity for me to do that would be the military. But I also knew that I wanted to go to college so I started looking at military colleges. When you apply to West Point, you want to be as qualified as possible physically and academically, and it’s important to be involved in service activities – all things that I enjoy doing because my parents instilled them in me. So when I was a freshman, I started to prepare myself to apply and be admitted to a military academy.
On his plans for the future: My goal after West Point is to serve in the U.S. Army and make a career out of it. I hope to pursue military intelligence, which is working with our government and foreign governments to make sure diplomacy and other arrangements are met here as well as abroad. I’ve always been interested in military intelligence, and I’ve always known that I want to work in the government post-military, so I feel like that’s the best opportunity for me.
On how Weddington High prepared him for life after high school: Weddington High staff truly cares about each and every individual student. A lot of teachers, administrators and faculty will help you regardless of what career you want to pursue after high school, and they will go out of their way to work with you to reach that goal. Our principal is also very motivating and determined, so it was great to have him there.
On advice for current students: Take it one day at a time. Also, surround yourself with people who will support you in whatever challenges you face not only in high school but beyond high school. My senior year got cut short. Looking back, I wish that I could slow things down a little bit and take everything one day at a time.
Porter Ridge High – Zoe Evans
Porter Ridge High senior Zoe Evans is passionate about so many things: art, science, athletics, etc.
She’s been a part of her high school’s National Arts Honor Society for four years, and currently serves as the club’s president. She also found a love for science in high school, and has taken as much advanced coursework in science as possible.
But her true passion lies in her ability to help and serve others through art and science, and that desire to give back has been her driving force throughout her entire life.
Now, as Zoe prepares to leave for Princeton University to major in molecular biology, this is what she had to say about her time at Porter Ridge High:
On why she’s so passionate about giving back: My father was in the military and passed away serving our country. Because of that, I’ve always had a lot of interaction with different organizations that support Gold Star families like my own. I was a big recipient of service from others growing up, so when I joined National Art Honor Society it allowed me to go from the recipient of service to being able to serve others through art. We’ve hosted art events for special needs students, painted pumpkins for nursing homes – it’s been amazing to have that opportunity to give back. I want to find opportunities to serve others in everything I do.
On her plans for the future: I want to study molecular biology at Princeton and pursue a pre-med track to become a doctor in the future. One of their major values is service, which is important to me as well. Becoming a doctor is the perfect combination of my love of science and desire to help others. Fifteen years from now, I hope to be working as a doctor and pushing myself to grow and discover new things.
On how Porter Ridge High has prepared her for the future: I came into high school so shy and was afraid to speak out. But I’ve had opportunities to participate in so many clubs and athletics that allowed me to step out of my comfort zone. I’ve grown so much and I’m not that shy person anymore. Porter Ridge High has been really helpful in that growth.
Advice for current students: Use your time in high school to come out of your comfort zone. When I joined National Arts Honor Society and field hockey, I didn’t know anyone and was so shy. I remember wanting to leave after the first day, but I didn’t. I’m so grateful to have had those experiences, which I don’t think I would have had if I stayed in my comfort zone.