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Cricket Gullickson

Biography

Highlights of Young Scholar Experience: Even as an eighth-grader, Ivy League-bound Cricket Gullickson saw the Young Scholars program “as the opportunity of a lifetime, something which would help me achieve my dreams.”  Her enthusiasm, desire to succeed, and sheer joy in participating in the programs offered to her through the scholarship made those dreams a reality. Thanks to the Foundation Cricket participated in VISIONS Service Adventures, a month-long program dedicated to meaningful service and cultural immersion; the Putney (VT) Summer Writing Program; and the Duke University intensive literary program. 

Profile: Rio, Wisconsin, a community of less than a thousand people on the edge of the prairie near Madison lays claim to Cricket, a Young Scholar who is on her way to great things.  Headed for Yale University in the fall of 2011, she made her mark at Culver Academies, a well-known boarding school in Indiana. At Culver, in addition to being a star in the classroom and with various athletic clubs, she was also active in service organizations, participating in a Culver-sponsored service trip to China and various other community projects in and around the Culver campus. 

Inspiration: Cricket gives credit to her mom for inspiring her to succeed in the classroom, in athletics . . .  in everything she does. “I have to credit my mother more than anyone else with my academic success. She made learning into something that was fun. She stressed to me the importance of an education and how it could change my life. When teachers or friends comment on how hardworking or dedicated I am, I understand that they are actually complimenting my mother.”  Cricket added that she would be remiss in not thanking her riding instructor, Rebecca Bishop, who was a key mentor also.  “Rebecca taught me everything I know about horses and a lot about myself too.” 

Aspiration: Although not sure yet where the future will lead her, she is currently leaning toward a career in medicine.  Time will tell if that’s the right course, but if not she also has a love for history and English, so perhaps teaching is where Cricket will find her calling.

 Making a Difference: In just 18 years on earth, the young Wisconsin native has been a part of various service projects that have made a tremendous difference in the lives of hundreds of people, both in the United States and Asia.  But when she thinks about an accomplishment that made a difference in her life, she points to the crew team at Culver Academies.  “For me lettering in crew is symbolic of the personal change I have gone through since leaving home for boarding school. I have always achieved academically, but for a girl who used to take 10 minutes to run a mile, rowing was something I felt extremely uncomfortable doing. For me, getting 3^rd in the championship regatta in 2010 represents just how much I have changed. I'm no longer too afraid to try new things--I'm comfortable with being me.” 

Accolades: So many awards, but so little space.  In addition to the Cum Laude Society and being named a National Merit Commended Scholar, Cricket was honored as a member of the Culver Blue Key Society, the AP Scholar Award, the Societe Honoraire de Francais, and recognized as a Culver Duchossois Scholar. 

Interesting Fact: It’s not just a nickname. Cricket really is named after the insect.

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