“I will prepare, and someday my chance will come,” is a quote often attributed to the great Abraham Lincoln. For Jared, it is a way of life. A Class of 2017 graduate of Birdville High School, Jared is a diligent and serious young man whose well-spoken manner belies his age. Always a firm believer in preparation, Jared came to KD as a junior because he knew that his test scores would be what would get him onto the playing field at top-tier universities. This was not a decision he made on a whim as he had been shaping his high school experience since 9th grade, thinking about his interests, what he wanted, and how to get there.
This intentional planning led Jared into his 10th grade honors Chemistry class and onto the UIL Science team, which sparked his interest in science. As a result, Jared started competing in UIL Science for Birdville. Through these competitions he encountered and fell in love with the fields of atomic and particle physics. He will continue his pursuit of science at SMU as a President’s Scholar recipient. This scholarship includes tuition, fees, room and board as well as the opportunity to travel abroad. He plans to double major in Physics and Chemistry, and his goals include obtaining a Ph.D. in Physics in order to work in research. With his focus on atomic and particle physics, he hopes to eventually give back to society through innovative research, finding more sustainable energy sources such as nuclear-fusion reactions. Jared also admits that he could see himself giving back through teaching, much like his favorite physicist Albert Einstein.
When asked what advice he would give to younger students, Jared’s answer was unsurprising: “It’s all about planning and preparation.” He encourages other students to think about what they want early, get involved, and try new things so that they can follow their true passions in college.