Nate Hartwell
2024 Graduate // St. Michael’s Catholic High School // Wonder on the Water
Why He Rocks
Nate was captain of the school’s sailing team but motor-less boating has been his passion since first grade. “My dad and grandfather sailed so I was expected to learn too,” recalls Nate, who has competed in sailing races throughout the country. His on-shore trophies include prizes of academia. Nate is an Advanced Placement Scholar, treasurer of the St. Michael’s Honor Society and a member of the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce Youth Leadership. But his passion awaits off-shore.
Just Add Water
“Sailing offers freedom and serenity,” the young boatsman says. “You can rig the sails, go out and all you hear is water moving around the boat and the slight sound of a flapping sail. The wind touching your face is very calming.”
Future Plans
In August, Nate will attend New York’s SUNY Maritime College and work on obtaining a captain’s license. He adds, “I plan to return to Mobile Bay in the maritime industry.”
Biggest Influence
Nate cites his parents for impacting his life with their support and drive. He also praises school teachers Josh Hamilton, for a love of history, Dr. Douglas Mitchell, for encouraging his interest in reading and Deacon Bill Robinson for solidifying Nate’s faith.
Kimberly Gregson
12th Grade // Alabama School of Mathematics and Science (ASMS) // Paleontology Prodigy
Why She Rocks
A member of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, honor student and college-level paleontologist, Kimberly brings the past to present. She examines yesteryear’s millenniums but also conducts cancer research as an intern with a University of South Alabama’s genetics lab. In addition, Kimberly has presented her research at the Alabama Academy of Sciences Conference at Jacksonville State University.
Fossil Fueled
“Paleontology is like a mystery from millions of years ago,” Kimberly notes about the science she loves. “You place the pieces together to solve a mystery. It is so much fun.” Kimberly serves as her school’s Paleontology Collections Manager and is responsible for identifying and cataloging thousands of fossil specimens from plants to dinosaurs.
Future Plans
Kimberly plans to study wildlife biology at Auburn University. She hopes to continue working in a research focused environment.
Biggest Influence
Among Kimberly’s influencers are Dr. Andrew Gentry, biologist and paleontologist. “He updated us with his research and any new discoveries, including a specimen coming to ASMS!” She also credits mom and dad. “They are the hardest working people I know,” she adds. “They taught me if I wanted something, I had to work for it. Having that mindset influenced me to push through hardships to accomplish my goals.”
Amari Yelding
2024 Graduate // Ben C. Rain High School // Sports Fanatic
Why He Rocks
You may be good at sports, but you are not Amari good. The 2024 graduate was captain of Ben Rain’s varsity football, baseball, golf and bowling teams. He excels off the field too. With a 4.5 GPA, his resume includes National Honor Society, Aviation Honor Society memberships, School Ambassador for the Mobile Youth Violence Prevention Committee, Drug Education Council Representative, Hi-Q captain and two-time winner of the Crichton Optimist Club Player of the week.
Instant Replays
Amari notes, “The thing I enjoy about football is the schemes, strategies and completive aspects. I love the competitiveness of baseball, golf and bowling, as well.” He continues, “In sports, there is always a level higher than the one you are on. I want to be the best I can at everything I do.”
Future Plans
Amari will attend Lenoir-Rhyne University to play football and major in sports.
Biggest Influence
Amari credits his grandmother for her guidance. “Voncile Lewis was kind, selfless, caring and provided me with some of the best times and moments of my life.” He adds, “I would not be able to accomplish what I have done without God and I’d like to give Him the glory.” He also thanks his family for sparking his interest in sports.
Genevieve Magli
2024 Graduate // Bayside Academy // Down Home and Abroad
Why She Rocks
Genevieve started saving her money for a trip to Europe while she was a 7th grader. In May, the 18-year-old returned our questionnaire from a Paris train to Switzerland for a solo backpacking trip. Mission accomplished. She graduated high school with a 4.25 GPA, completed seven advanced placement courses and accumulated $300,000 in college scholarships, while pursuing a love for musical theater and farming. Genevieve’s theatrical experiences include performing with the Eastern Shore Repertory Theater in New York City, Atlanta and Sacramento.
Farms of Life
Genevieve recalls many happy days down on the farm. “A few moments with the horses here and some playing with the chickens there – It’s the most therapeutic use of my spare time I might have.” She’s good at it. When her parents were out of town for a month, Genevieve had sole responsibility. She fed the animals, tended the garden and collected the eggs, all while managing her mother’s floral business by tending orders and making deliveries.
Future Plans
Genevieve plans to attend the Manhattan School of Music and pursue a musical theater career.
Biggest Influence
“My parents encourage and support me in countless, unpayable ways.” She credits Bayside Academy teacher Laurel Kolakoski for instilling the value of hard work, diligence, discipline and standing up for yourself even when it is hard to do.
Henry Gladden
8th Grade // St. Paul’s Episcopal School // Number Cruncher
Why He Rocks
A middle schooler, Henry has achieved more math honors before 8th grade than most of us have in a lifetime. His accomplishments include first place awards in the Middle School Math Olympiad, the AISA State Middle School Math Competition and many more. Henry has also completed Advanced Placement Calculus AB, the highest math level offered at St. Paul’s Episcopal School. This summer, he will experience mathematics and logic at Duke University.
Crunching The Numbers
Henry’s love for math was noticed at age two. In early childhood, he invented games involving addition and subtraction with his toys. Before kindergarten, he taught himself how to multiply. When not running the numbers, he is running down Old Shell Road with St. Paul’s Middle School Cross Country Team. He also performs in piano competitions.
Future Plans
Henry wishes to pursue a career in medicine with a focus on research.
Biggest Influence
Henry claims his father, Dr. James Gladden, as his biggest influence. St. Paul’s advanced calculus teacher, Anne Gil, also impacted Henry’s life, by sharing her love for mathematics with him.
Stanley Roberson
2024 Graduate // Alma Bryant High School // Hot Shot
Why He Rocks
Stanley shoots straight, literally. He is an archer and propels arrows better than most. In fact, his scores could make Robin Hood blush. The recent graduate placed high at a regional archery competition for high school boys. He was top ranked nationally in 2023 and 2024. Stanley is also a top scoring player of Hi-Q and scored a 35 on the ACT test. And by dawn’s early light, often before school, the young archer helps his mother at their family-owned business, The Lighthouse Bakery.
Aiming High
“What I like about archery is the stark contrast between it and the rest of my extracurricular activities,” he says. “I usually involve myself in much more technical and academic areas. Archery gives a way to apply myself that is absent in many other things in my life.” Stanley also excels in robotics, assisting his team to win numerous awards. “Robotics is a great way to exercise mechanical problem solving abilities as well as coding skills in a competitive environment,” he adds.
Future Plans
Stanley plans to attend the University of Alabama in Huntsville for a degree in materials engineering and one day work for an aerospace company.
Biggest Influence
“My grandfather, Daniel Scarcliff, promoted curiosity and learning to me at a young age,” Stanley remembers. “He pointed things out to me, providing models and experiments to pique my interest.”
Emma Hsiao
2024 Graduate // Spanish Fort High School // STEM Scholar
Why She Rocks
Emma enjoys math and, not by coincidence, her statistics are excellent. Out of 1.3 million students who took qualifying tests, Emma was one of 2,500 selected as a National Merit Scholar. She was also one of 6,000 candidates chosen for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. “But outside of school I have quite a few hobbies to enjoy,” she says. “Two of my favorites pastimes are piano and golf. I have played the piano since age 5 and I enjoy golfing with my family.”
Science, Math and More
Her favorite school subjects include chemistry and physics. “I appreciate being able to apply both my math and science knowledge to a variety of concepts and scenarios,” she notes. Others have noted her too. Emma will attend Princeton University and intends to major in mechanical and aerospace engineering.
Future Plans
After undergraduate studies, Emma plans to pursue a Ph.D.
Biggest Influence
“My parents are undoubtedly my greatest influence,” she says. “They have always wholeheartedly encouraged and supported me to strive for my goals.”
Maggie Heller
2024 Graduate // McGill-Toolen Catholic High School // Advocate
Why She Rocks
Maggie is an award-winning editor of McGill-Toolen’s literary magazine, Ingenium. An accomplished dancer, she is also a member of the Broadway South Dance Performance group. But of most importance, Maggie is an advocate for those with cystic fibrosis, of which her sister, Lilly, is an inspiration.
Cause for the Cure
“Seeing even her small struggles as a child encouraged me to do as much as possible for my sister and others with CF,” Maggie says. “Participating as a teen advocate for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) allowed me to make Lilly’s life easier.”
Future Plans
Maggie will attend Boston College in the fall. Eventually, she wants to attend law school.
Biggest Influence
Maggie’s greatest influencers include her mom and dad. “Mom has been a huge inspiration for me in my advocacy,” says Maggie. “She attended every event I participated in as an advocate for the CFF.” She also notes her dad “works very hard to be successful and is always searching for knowledge. He taught me the value of working hard for the future.” She credits her freshman English teacher, Nancy Fontenot, who fostered Maggie’s love for writing.
Marquis Lockett
12th Grade // John L. Leflore High School // Robotics Whiz
Why He Rocks
Marquis is described by teachers as a robotics prodigy, theater virtuoso and future culinary artist. As captain of the LeFlore Rattler Robotics team, he led his group to numerous competition victories, including a first place award for a STEM competition at the University of Florida. Under his leadership, the team has competed in Alabama, Florida and Texas.
Assembly Required
“I love the process of building robots and the trial and error that comes with it,” Marquis says, about bringing life to assembled components. “When I am not doing school work, I am working on robots.” He often brings a robot project home on weekends for continued tweaking.
Future Plans
After graduation, Marquis plans to attend college and study I.T, computer science and culinary arts.
Biggest Influence
“My mom and dad are my biggest influences,” he adds. “They are very supportive in whatever I do.” He also credits teachers, Shaundrie Jones (science), Tarvarris Gilbert (math) and Jacob Parnell (Spanish) for encouragement and motivation.
Stan Blejwas
2024 Graduate // W.P. Davidson High School // Ambassador
Why He Rocks
Stan is often seen on the Davidson High School campus talking with friends, some speaking English, others speaking Spanish. Stan is fluent in both. He loves the study of languages and puts that passion to good use.
Beyond Words
His resume includes serving as an intern at the Federal U.S. District Court, a National Merit Finalist, a U.S. Youth Ambassador, AP Scholar with Honors and Model United Nations Chairperson. Stan has also been selected to study Russian on a US State Department scholarship. Academically, he has been in the top 1% of his class for four years. Athletically, he loves soccer as a four-year starter on Davidson’s varsity team.
Future Plans
“Law, government and literature interest me,” he says. “I’d like to pursue a career related to all of these interests, not just linguistics.” College is not an issue. He has been selected by 12 universities, including Harvard University.
Biggest Influence
Stan credits his family. “They support me which allows me to explore what I am interested in,” he says. Stan also praises his English teacher, Lydia Shantazio, noting, “She gave me space to practice expressing ideas in a thoughtful and considerate manner.”
Jewel McCrary
12th Grade // UMS-Wright Preparatory School // Super Scientist
Why She Rocks
A high school senior, Jewel is a scientist. Not a wannabe scientist, a practicing one. Recently, after working on a psychology research project, she submitted a 40-page research paper to the Alabama Junior Academy of Science (AJAS). Eventually, she presented her work at Jacksonville State University. Jewel’s presentations allowed her to open an AJAS chapter at UMS-Wright, its first in AJAS’s 100 years.
Rising Star
Teachers proclaim Jewel, “a rising star of psychology.” Her star shined early. She became interested in psychology during her 7th grade school year. “It was the start of quarantine.” Jewel recalls. “I began binge watching ‘Grey’s Anatomy.’ This show made me realize I did not want to be a doctor, but I enjoyed the idea of working in science and more specifically, with the brain.” She is also an editor of The Mind’s Eye, UMS’s literary magazine and a Red Shoe Krew Leadership Board member of Ronald McDonald House.
Future Plans
After UMS, she plans to attend college and obtain a PhD. She is exploring career paths including fields in therapy, research and teaching.
Biggest Influence
Jewel says UMS Advanced Placement History Teacher Peter Wilson helped influence her strong work ethic.
Related: Wonder Kids 2023 · Wonder Kids 2022 · Wonder Kids 2021 · Wonder Kids 2020
