Scholar Films
Harun's most recent film, In the Name of the Son, is based on his experiences growing up in wartime Bosnia
Patrick Hunter
“My passion? That’s simple: reading. Reading is easily one of my biggest uses of free time – it makes me happy, inspires my creativity and expands my world view.”
- Program: 2008 College Scholarship Recipient
- Resides: St.Louis, MO
- Hometown: Belleville, IL
- Age: 17
- Four-year College or University: Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
- Academic/Career Pursuits: Computing / IT, Education / Academia, Engineering, Math
- Other Interests: Computing / IT, Foreign Languages / International Study, Martial Arts
Biography
HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUNG SCHOLAR EXPERIENCE: “During my years as a Young Scholar I have faced many challenges, been offered diverse opportunities, and enjoyed numerous successes.” Patrick’s most memorable experience was his participation in Operation Catapult, a three-week project-based engineering program at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, where students worked in teams to complete college-level tasks. He also studied the science of flight at the St. Louis Gifted Resource Council and constitutional issues at St. Louis Community College.
PROFILE: Patrick, who grew up with his mother in a single-parent household, struggled initially in high school because of dysgraphia, a learning disability that involves fine motor and information processing skills and affects writing and graphing abilities. Once he became a Young Scholar, his life changed dramatically. While he was previously reluctant to travel away from home, he was able to participate in Operation Catapult. He also rediscovered math, which, along with science and computer science, is a strength. “Geometry was almost impossible because I couldn’t visualize what they were talking about and it took a lot of time to write out even simple proofs. As soon as the Foundation set me up with my amazing tutor, Woodrow, my grades shot up from a C to an A.” Patrick finished pre-calculus and went on to AP Statistics and AP Calculus. In learning how to explain his issues to his teachers, he learned self-advocacy, which has served him far beyond math and science. He is now successfully pursuing many interests, including reading, politics, science fiction, cooking and food, and economics.
INSPIRATION: “One of the most important influences in my life is my family.”
ASPIRATION: Patrick hopes to become a Computer Scientist.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Patrick is a member of the Lindbergh Liberal Union and was a member of the Southminster Presbyterian Youth Group. He has participated in letter writing campaigns with Amnesty International.
ACCOLADES: Patrick was a regional finalist at the St. Louis Metropolitan Area National Vocabulary Championship, as well as his school’s Platinum Award winner (GPA of at least 4.0). He and his partner earned first place and the only perfect score ever in the Webster University Programming Challenge. Patrick’s team placed first at the 2005 Best Robotics, earning two awards for Most Robust Robot for the St. Louis Region and the Founder’s Award for Most Creative and Practical Design. Patrick also earned a near-perfect over-all composite score on the ACT: 35 out of 36.
INTERESTING FACT: Patrick represented his school in a citywide Princeton Review vocabulary competition.
Other Scholars Like Patrick
Jason Joo
College Scholar
University of Pennsylvania
Maria Frendberg
College Scholar
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Eleine Sun
College Scholar
Carnegie Mellon University
Jarrod Brown
Graduate Scholar
University of Hawai'i at Manoa