Drew Reese
Oldham County High School,
Buckner, Ky.
Drew Reese is the first student to graduate from Oldham County a year early, completing her final year in three months. "Drew went above and beyond in her studies," said Principal Dave Weedman, adding that her acceptance to MIT was a major factor in the school board's decision to allow her to accelerate her graduation.
"I don't have any concerns about her going off to college and being successful," Weedman told the Louisville Courier-Journal.
Reese, who plans to major in physics, played violin with the Louisville Youth Orchestra and enjoys fencing. She would like to go on to earn a doctorate and do research. "I want to discover something that is going to contribute to humanity's understanding of why we're here and where we're headed," she said. "If I could do that, I would have given something to the world. I just want to try and use my gifts as best I can."