Towson High Student Does It All

The "experts" tell us that teenagers are a compulsive bunch, engaging in risky and impulsive behavior and generally making bad choices because their brains aren’t fully developed yet. Apparently, the experts haven’t met Adam Healey.  

Adam, a junior at could give some adults lessons on how to use common sense and more effectively balance competing responsibilities. Considering the schedule and high standards that Adam maintains, it's a surprise to see nary a dark circle under his bright eyes.

He juggles six Advanced Placement courses (out of seven classes a day); maintains a 4.0 grade point average; is a three-season athlete in cross country, indoor track and outdoor track; volunteers year ‘round at St. Pius X Church; and acts as an assistant coach for running club. He’s also a really nice, humble kid.

Even being named a 2011 Carson Scholar, a prestigious honor bestowed on 500 recipients out of nearly 2,000 nominees, doesn't seem to have had an effect on Adam's ego.

Founded by world-renowned pediatric neurosurgeon Ben Carson and his wife Candy, the Carson Scholars Fund recognizes a select group of high-achieving students in grades 4 through 11 with an outstanding academic record and humanitarian qualities. Each recipient receives a $1,000 college scholarship award.

Karen Waters, Adam's 10th grade world history teacher, didn’t hesitate to select him as Towson High School's nominee for the award. “There are lots of kids who get good grades, but who don’t stand out,” said Waters, noting that Adam's work ethic, as well as the quality of work he produced for her class, made her decision easy.

"Sometimes I would read Adam's homework first to set a standard for the class; sometimes I would read it last as a reward, because I looked forward to it,” Waters said.

Already established as a high school scholar, Adam clearly has a bright academic future ahead of him. He plans to study engineering in college, and has begun to explore where: He's eyeing Johns Hopkins, University of Maryland, Bucknell, and a few others. Wherever Adam lands, he's likely to find success if he continues to apply the academic strategies that have helped him ace high school thus far.  

“I try to allot myself a certain amount of time for each subject, and if I get stuck on something I’ll come back later and change the way I approach it,” Adam said.

The other piece of advice he has for want-to-be scholars? “Go to sleep early. That’s the only way I can get up early and do it all over again,” said Adam, referring to his hectic schedule, which includes four to five hours of homework per night.

Seems like Adam's brain is wired quite tight.