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Steven Hussung

Biography

Highlights of Young Scholar Experience: Being a Young Scholar changed Steve Hussung’s life for the better. It is difficult for him to pinpoint one specific activity, but cumulatively the experience, “changed my life in so many ways that I can’t imagine what my life would have been like without it.”

Profile: Since there are so few hours in the day, Steve doesn’t waste one precious minute. If he’s not at home working on complex math problems or reading, you may find him completing his course work at nearby Carson-Newman College where he’s had dual enrollment since the beginning of his senior year in high school. If you still can’t locate him he may be at his church planning an outreach activity or in the church basement where Steve’s about to put the finishing touches on a 3D architectural model of “Samaritan House,” a future homeless shelter the church is supporting. Still can’t find him? Check the karate studio where he’s earning a blue belt, or with his piano teacher, or the soccer field, or a local school’s swimming pool where he’ll be doing laps to burn off some of his excess energy. Life is a joyful highway for this young man and he loves the ride.

Inspiration: His mother has been his mentor, friend and inspiration all of his life. “Being homeschooled for 12 years I am proud to say that my favorite teacher is my mom.” But for Mrs. Hussung to remain at home teaching Steve and his two brothers, it was necessary for his father to work two jobs. “I am so thankful to both of them for all the time and energy they have poured into my brothers and me.”

Aspiration: He hopes to further hone his mathematical, scientific and computer acumen for a career in engineering.

Making a Difference: Steve and his family raise service dogs. Working with a company called Canine Companions for Independence, the Hussungs keep the dogs for 18 months. Once the dogs are old enough, they are sent to advanced training. If they pass advanced training, they are paired—for free—with those who need them. “One of the dogs we raised, Mira, passed advanced training and was paired with an autistic boy about my age. We were able to meet him and his family and participate in the graduation ceremony, where we ‘handed over the leash.’ We learned that he had limited verbal skills, but within weeks of meeting Mira his vocabulary began increasing. I am so proud to have had a part in changing his life in such a dramatic and ongoing way.”

Accolades: Steve is listed in the Who’s Who Registry of Academic Excellence and early in his school career he received state recognition in the Duke University Talent Identification Program.

Interesting fact: Steve wants to acknowledge a friend he made through Young Scholars Program, Norris Guncheon. He and Norris attended a summer workshop on 3D animation at the New York Film Academy. Both young men had an interest in music, and Norris told Steve he thought he’d be a natural on the electric bass. Steve decided to give it a try, discovering that because he has very long fingers he was indeed adept at playing the instrument. In the winter of 2010 Steve performed a week-long concert-lecture series led by an internationally-known musical director.
 

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