One Mighty MITES: Whiz Kid

junior and Flossmoor resident Ciara Adkins will need to be getting adjusted to collegiate life one year sooner than expected.

At least, for a few months (and with little time to brush up on her partying skills).

Adkins is one of only 70 students, nationwide, that got accepted into the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Minority Introduction to Engineering and Science (MITES) program. She will be spending six rigorous weeks immersed in the exploration and study of a variety of careers in leading science and engineering. Included in the range of study are biology, calculus, chemistry, physics, engineering design and computer science courses.

"At first I was surprised that I was accepted into such a competitive program," Adkins said.

"Competitive" is an understatement, as over 1,400 other students applied and were not so lucky.

But, for Adkins, luck had nothing to do with it.  

Adkins is currently ranked first in her class at H-F High with a perfect 4.0 GPA. Beyond that, her high standardized test scores, excellent application essay and involvement in extracurricular activities and volunteer work helped make MIT's choice an easy one.

She doesn't take all the credit for her success, though. Adkins said H-F High School has provided her with a "great academic foundation."

"My teachers have been more than supportive and continue to challenge my abilities and maintain my interest," Adkins said. "I have also been given great opportunities such as visiting the Argonne lab for a school sponsored program."

According to her mother, Linda, Adkins is thrilled to get started.

Please join H-F Patch in congratulating Ciara Adkins for her dedication and commitment to scholarship, and her exemplary representation of the H-F community. That's why we, too, made an easy choice in honoring Adkins as this week's "whiz kid."