ADDISON COSGROVE
HIGH SCHOOL Troy Athens High School
AGE 17
CITY OF RESIDENCE Troy
COLLEGE ATTENDING IN THE FALL Wayne State University
SPORT Softball
ACCOLADES Warrior Award for Academic Achievement; Athletic Scholarship; Scholar Athlete Award; Senior Scholar Athlete Award; 1st Team All District Catcher; 1st Team All OAA League Catcher; Hilite International Scholarship Award.
MAJOR Communication Sciences and Disorders
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT THE SPORT YOU PLAY? I love that softball has taught me so many things and gave me so many lifelong and important relationships. I’ve learned how to learn from mistakes, get back up after failing, be a good teammate and friend and support other people. I love the people who I have met along the way — they have each taught me something about myself, the game and life itself.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THESE AREAS OF STUDY? WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED FROM THEM? Something I have been passionate about since I was young was working with people who learn differently. In high school, I took classes like psychology, careers in education and Links (which aids students with special needs), where I learned about all types of learners. I shadowed in a middle school special-education classroom for my senior year and loved it. I learned that although someone’s brain may work differently and that everyone has a voice and something to offer. By majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders, my goal is to pursue a career in speech pathology specializing in people with disabilities to make everyone’s voices heard.
WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER A MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENT YOU’VE ACHIEVED? Getting the chance to play high-level collegiate softball. This has been a goal of mine since I started playing softball and achieving it was such an amazing feeling.
DO YOU HAVE A ROLE MODEL/MENTOR? My role models are my parents. Both of my parents were collegiate athletes and have been my biggest mentors, not only when it comes to school and sports, but life itself.
WHAT GOALS DO YOU HOPE TO ACHIEVE? I hope to have a successful softball career at Wayne State and graduate to become a speech pathologist specializing in adolescents with disabilities.
TELL ME SOMETHING MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU? I taught myself how to do gymnastics when I was younger.
SURAJ MAUNUR
HIGH SCHOOL International Academy East, Troy
AGE 18
CITY OF RESIDENCE Canton
COLLEGE ATTENDING IN THE FALL University of Michigan
SPORT Tennis, will play club/intramural tennis in college
ACCOLADES National Merit Scholarship Finalist; Conrad Challenge Innovator Award; University of Michigan Regents Scholarship; National MathCON competition 2x finalist; MHSAA Division I doubles tennis finalist; School Economics department award (only one student is selected)
MAJOR Dual degrees in Engineering/Computer Science and Business Administration
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT THE SPORT YOU PLAY? I love the competitive nature of tennis and the importance of mental strength in being successful in tennis. Additionally, tennis is a full-body sport (including your mind) and the fact that it is a non-contact sport reduces chances of injuries and also makes it possible for people of varying ages to play.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR ACADEMIC FIELDS? I love the creativity that is required to be successful. I am interested in entrepreneurship, and it takes an immense amount of creativity to be original and successful, which has helped me in the Conrad Challenge. I also like how STEM and business blend together, especially given the way both fields require lots of problem-solving skills that can benefit the world.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THESE AREAS OF STUDY? WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED FROM THEM? I chose the STEM/business fields because they are very intellectually stimulating fields with a lot to uncover. I think both fields gel well together and I’ve learned a lot about how overlapping fields complement each other in important ways for the world. For example, last year my friends and I worked on a project that involved developing a startup company dedicated to creating a device that allowed for easier two-way communication with deaf-blind individuals.
WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER A MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENT YOU’VE ACHIEVED? I’m very proud of how I’ve juggled school and sports — with a one-hour commute to school each way. My other major accomplishment is reaching state championship finals in tennis this past season.
DO YOU HAVE A ROLE MODEL/MENTOR? In sports and life, my role model is the cricketer Hardik Pandya. I admire his work ethic, perseverance and composure as an athlete and human being.
WHAT GOALS DO YOU HOPE TO ACHIEVE? I want to work in financial technology and eventually start a company of my own. Alternatively, I would like to work at a startup company or invest in startup companies (venture capital).
TELL ME SOMETHING MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU? I’ve traveled to four out of seven continents in the world.
ADAM MᴄMANUS
HIGH SCHOOL Troy High School
AGE 17
CITY OF RESIDENCE Troy
COLLEGE ATTENDING IN THE FALL University of South Carolina
ACCOLADES National Spanish Exam Gold Medal (2x); World Language Department - Spanish Award; Michigan Elks Lodge Most Valuable Student Scholarship; Honor Roll: 4.0 + GPA
MAJOR International Business, Finance and Spanish
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THESE AREAS OF STUDY? WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED FROM THEM? A key aspect to my high school career was my pursuit of learning the Spanish language and culture. Spanish culture and language has never bored me, nor have I become sick of it. I love knowing I can travel around almost half the world and be fully functional. I also pursued business education. In today’s world, every career involves business; however, international business and finance will allow me to employ my skills in all different environments and connect with people on a global scale.
WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER A MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENT YOU’VE ACHIEVED? My biggest accomplishment is definitely reaching bilingual status in English and Spanish. I also received two gold medals for the National Spanish Exam, scoring in the 89th percentile in grammar, vocabulary, reading and writing in Spanish. I was accepted into a 13–member cohort at the University of South Carolina and will spend semesters four and five in Santiago, Chile, where I will continue my studies.
DO YOU HAVE A ROLE MODEL/MENTOR? My biggest role models are my siblings. Raised in a household of eight, I have always been surrounded by radiating love. Whether that was a hug from my mom or a brotherly punch from the oldest child, I will always have a large community to call home. My siblings have taught me to strive for my best and never let anything get in the way. Leo, my oldest brother, paved the way for the remaining five siblings and I will forever be indebted to him for that leadership.
WHAT GOALS DO YOU HOPE TO ACHIEVE? I hope to become a helping hand in connecting cultures. I would love to serve as a bridge from a Spanish-speaking country to America. I firmly believe everyone deserves the chance to experience America’s unique opportunities and will forever continue fighting for those who cannot. My dream job is either a company ambassador or a lobbyist.
TELL ME SOMETHING MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU? Although a few know this, I would say most people do not know that I have traveled to Peru, Italy, Mexico, Canada and Puerto Rico — but I plan to step foot on every continent before I turn 30. Traveling is not for the weak; however, it is one of my largest priorities entering this new era in my life.