• Current Scholars
• Alumni
• Dream Big
• Scholar Travels
• Scholar Art & Music
• Scholar Stories
• The Scholar Experience

Michael Nay

Biography

Highlights of Young Scholar Experience: Mike grew up in a small community in Kankakee County, Illinois, south of Chicago. He was a good student at the local public high school but wanted more. His status as a Young Scholar allowed Mike to attend an historic academy which “has made the biggest impact upon my life to this point.” Although Mike partook in and enjoyed several of the summer learning sessions offered to Young Scholars, he said that because he was able to attend prep school he “now has aspirations that I never dreamed about before.”

Profile: Mike loves a challenge, be it in the classroom or on the athletic field. When Mike takes on a task he knows only one way to attack it: full speed ahead giving 110% until the job is done. His classmates, teachers and coaches at Culver Military Academy in Indiana know that they can count on him and Mike relishes the fact he’s earned their respect and trust. “At Culver I have been surrounded by motivated people that have pushed me to work harder than I ever have before,” he said. As Mike approached graduation in the spring of 2010 he was commanding his military company, considered one of the top honors at the academy which has produced hundreds of famous Americans (Hal Holbrook, George Steinbrenner, Roger Penske and countless military leaders).

Inspiration: Mike fondly recalls one of his elementary school teachers, Wendi Dabney, of the Bourbonnais School District in Illinois. “She made learning fun and pushed me to excel,” Mike said.

Aspiration: Mike hopes to make his mark as a leader in the financial world.

Making a Difference: His adherence to Culver’s Honor Code is contagious to those around him. He lives the code 24 hours a day, seven days a week. One might think Mike models himself after one of the obnoxious ROTC cadets from the old movie “Animal House.” Nothing could be further from the truth as Mike’s “laid back leadership style” makes those who follow him want to do their best for him and for themselves. When Mike isn’t on the Culver campus he can be found doing any number of church-related community activities back in his hometown in Illinois.

Accolades: Mike was named to the Culver Honor Council and was recognized by the faculty of this school for Studio Art projects. He was appointed unit commander at his school and has earned a “Silver A” grade point average. In addition, Mike was named a State Scholar by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission as well a National Merit Commended Scholar. The honors didn’t stop there as Mike also was named by Sociedad Honoraria Hispanica to the National Spanish Honor Society.

Interesting fact: Mike possesses a black belt in the martial arts. But, and this is not a joke. Mike loves nachos and hopes someday to enter a nacho eating contest and gain a listing in the Guinness Book of Records.
 

Other Scholars Like Michael