Actually, I applied to Baylor, and I got accepted, so right now it looks like I am going to Baylor. I also applied at [The University of Oklahoma] in Norman, so there as well, but I think I’m pretty much Baylor-bound.

What are your plans for college? Actually, I applied to Baylor, and I got accepted, so right now it looks like I am going to Baylor. I also applied at [The University of Oklahoma] in Norman, so there as well, but I think I’m pretty much Baylor-bound. What will you study? I plan to become a PA, so my degree would be pre-health at Baylor, but a PA is physician’s assistant. They do everything a doctor does, but they don’t have to do all the years of schooling. It’s, like, six years instead of 11 or so. What did you want to be when you were younger? Actually, I always wanted to be a worship leader. I think, my dad being a pastor, I grew up around the church, and I always loved worshipping God. I always sung, and my dad taught me how to play guitar, so I always wanted to do that. I think it’s still something I want to do little bit, but I kind of wanted a more practical skill as well. That’s why I wanted to go the medical way. What is something most people don’t know about you? I’ve actually been to 16 different countries. I traveled with my dad around the world a lot, and I’ve been to places like Uganda and Sri Lanka and Haiti and Germany and places like that, so that’s kind of interesting. Growing up, what is something your mother always told you? I mentioned it earlier, but my mom always told me that God is always good in every circumstance, and he is worth trusting in. What is something you can’t live without? I don’t think I could live without a solid family around me. I think that is the best thing to have — parents and siblings that really care for me. I think it would be really hard for me to live without that. What is one word that describes you? Passionate. Who is someone that inspires you? I’ve always been inspired by our worship leader at our church, James Mark Gulley. He is just a really solid guy that loves God and does what he does really well. I’ve always kind of wanted to be like him.

I plan to attend Texas A&M University, and I’m majoring in aerospace engineering.

What are your plans for college? I plan to attend Texas A&M University, and I’m majoring in aerospace engineering. What do you want to do after college? I’m looking to get a job at NASA. Eventually, I’m going to try and apply for the astronaut candidate program. What did you want to be when you were younger? A pilot. What is something most people don’t know about you? I enjoy dancing, especially two-stepping. Growing up, what is something your father always told you? Follow through with your word. What’s something you can’t live without? God. What is one word that describes you? True. I always try to be transparent with who I am. Who is someone that inspires you? John F. Kennedy. One of his quotes was, ‘Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country.’ Just that idea of service and serving others. What will you miss about Waco when you go off to college? For sure, home. This is where I’ve grown up. I’ll miss the people I’ve grown up knowing.

I want to major in biomedical engineering. I’m still looking at colleges right now. I’m looking at Duke, Vanderbilt, Rice and A&M. I don’t know where that will take me.

What are your plans for college? I want to major in biomedical engineering. I’m still looking at colleges right now. I’m looking at Duke, Vanderbilt, Rice and A&M. I don’t know where that will take me. What do you want to do after college? I’m still kind of looking into all the things I can go into with that. Right now, I’m kind of interested in all the aspects of designing prosthetics and stuff like that. I think that’s incredible. I like more the mechanical aspects. What is something most people don’t know about you? I can rap every single word to ‘Super Bass’ by Nicki Minaj. What is one word that describes you? Eager. Who is someone that inspires you? One of the people who inspires me most is my grandfather. He is an old basketball coach and teacher. Now he works at Texas Baptist Men’s Disaster Relief program; he’s a chef. What will you miss about Waco when you go off to college? I really like how it’s a strong, diverse community, as far as the pride everybody seems to take in Baylor and even MCC. Everything. The local aspects. Being interested in science and stuff, I like the strength or the privilege of programs like SpaceX and L3. It’s like a quiet town, but it’s a town where things are happening. I really like that about it.

I’ve been accepted by Texas A&M. I’m going to study kinesiology and be in the Corps of Cadets. It’s a big deal at A&M.

What do you want to do after college? After, I might join the Navy. I kind of want to be a coach/teacher or a physical therapist. What did you want to be when you were younger? A firefighter or police officer or an NFL player. Growing up, what is something your mother always told you? That I carry the family name. Don’t do anything that would embarrass our family. What’s something you can’t live without? My brotherhood at my church, our small group of senior guys. We just hang out all the time. Who is someone that inspires you? Someone I don’t know that inspires me is Tim Tebow. What will you miss about Waco when you go off to college? All the restaurants. Also, most of my friends in the brotherhood will be going to Baylor, so I’ll be leaving them behind.

I hope to go to Boston University or SMU, Southern Methodist University.

What are your plans for college? I hope to go to Boston University or SMU, Southern Methodist University. What are you going to study? I’m thinking about chemistry or English, even though those are kind of not associated with each other. What did you want to be when you were younger? I wanted to be a doctor like my dad. He’s a rheumatologist. What is something most people don’t know about you? I’m a citizen of three countries: America, Canada and [the United Kingdom]. My mom is English, so I got that one automatically [by descent], and both of my parents are citizens of Canada. Growing up, what is something your mother always told you? To do what I love to do. What is something you can’t live without? My iPhone. What is one word that describes you? Determined. Who is someone that inspires you? Probably my chemistry teacher. I took chemistry honors with her, and she was the one who recommended that I take AP Chemistry, and at first I didn’t really want to do it because it sounded like a lot of work, but when I took it, it was worth it. The hard work was probably the best part. What will you miss about Waco when you go off to college? Probably the people, my friends and my dog, Maggie. She’s an Australian cattle dog mix. We got her from the humane society.

Right now, I’m planning on going to the University of Texas to major in business.

What are your plans for college? Right now, I’m planning on going to the University of Texas to major in business. What about after college? I’m thinking about something along the lines of accounting or going to law school. What did you want to be when you were younger? When I was really little, I wanted to be a ballerina. Then, my dad’s a lawyer, so as I’ve gotten older and more realistic, that’s something I’ve wanted to be. What is something most people don’t know about you? Since I get good grades, people make fun of me for studying a lot, but I’m not quite as serious as people think I am. I actually like to have fun and stuff. Growing up, what is something your mother always told you? Every time before I leave, my mother always says, ‘Remember that you’re representing the Stephens family.’ What is something you can’t live without? My family. They’re my support, and they make me laugh. Who is someone that inspires you? Probably my older brother. I was always really impressed with him. He’s liked by lots of people. He was a good student. I just look up to him as a role model. What will you miss about Waco when you go off to college? I’ll miss all the familiar faces, free parking, my own bathroom, Poppa Rollo’s Pizza and my mom’s cooking.

I’m looking at Trinity University down in San Antonio, I’m looking at Baylor University, and I’m looking at Ouachita Baptist University.

What are your plans for college? I’m looking at Trinity University down in San Antonio, I’m looking at Baylor University, and I’m looking at Ouachita Baptist University. What did you want to be when you were younger? Up until last year, I guess I always wanted to be some kind of physician’s assistant or somewhere in the medical field, but I’m not positive now that’s it’s time, actually, to make the decision. What is something a lot of people don’t know about you? I have a twin sister named Lauren, and she is about six inches shorter than I am, and she is two minutes older, which is very ironic. Growing up, what is something your mother always told you? She always tells me that she prays that I’ll be someone who follows after the Lord and that I’d be a godly person. She tells me that often. What is something you can’t live without? Besides God, probably running. I really like to run. What is one word that describes you? Disciplined. Who is someone that inspires you? Probably my science teacher, Ms. Katherine Pitts. She is a really great woman.

I plan to study computer science or computer engineering. I applied to M.I.T. That’s my first choice, and I applied early admission.

What are your plans for college? I plan to study computer science or computer engineering. I applied to M.I.T. That’s my first choice, and I applied early admission. What did you want to be when you were younger? An engineer. What is something you can’t live without? Music. It helps me relax and concentrate. What is one word that describes you? Driven. I’m driven to always improve myself and find areas where I’m weak, but I can challenge myself in new areas. Who is someone that inspires you? Before Steve Jobs died, I never paid that much attention to him. I just thought he was a successful man, but once he died, all his human qualities came out. People talked about his importance and how he didn’t let anyone else drown out his inner voice. He was driven to make a difference in the world, and he never let anyone challenge that. Once I learned that about him, that changed it for me.

I haven’t really picked a school yet. I’ve applied to a lot. I guess my top choices are [University of Virginia], Vanderbilt and, I guess, Rice. I plan on doing biomedical engineering.

 What are your plans for college? I haven’t really picked a school yet. I’ve applied to a lot. I guess my top choices are [University of Virginia], Vanderbilt and, I guess, Rice. I plan on doing biomedical engineering. What will you do with your degree? I’m not really sure yet. Probably go to medical school for further studies. What did you want to be when you were younger? I always wanted to be a doctor or a surgeon, in particular. What is something most people don’t know about you? I like to go skiing a lot, but I three-track ski because I’m an amputee, and I can’t use my left leg. So that’s different, and I guess not many people know. Growing up, what is something your mother always told you? Keep your options open. What is something you can’t live without? My computer, just because it gives me access to everything when I need it. Whatever I need to know. What is one word that describes you? Perseverant. That’s what I usually pick. I feel like it’s really important, and I’ve had to learn to be perseverant with various obstacles. Who is someone that inspires you? Jim Valvano. He was the basketball coach at NC State. Probably a lot of people don’t know who he is. He was the college basketball coach at NC State and had cancer. Before he died, he established a cancer fund and donated a lot of money to it. What will you miss about Waco when you go off to college? Family and friends that I made here and that I’ve grown up with and everything.

I’m deciding between Dallas Baptist University and [University of Mary Hardin-Baylor]. I plan to major in business, specifically, marketing.

What are your plans for college? I’m deciding between Dallas Baptist University and [University of Mary Hardin-Baylor]. I plan to major in business, specifically, marketing. What did you want to be when you were younger? I probably wanted to be a businesswoman. I was always making things to sell, starting new businesses and looking for ways to make money. I had lemonade stands. I sold cookies to people at my church. I made homemade potholders. I would weave them myself and sell them to friends. What is something most people don’t know about you? When I was little for about two years, I had to wear an eyepatch. One of my eyes was underdeveloped, and they had to develop the weaker eye. I was like a pirate. Growing up, what is something your mother always told you? To work hard, not give up and always do your best. What is something you can’t live without? Dr Pepper. What is one word that describes you? Random. Who is someone that inspires you? My Aunt Jana. She has been through quite a lot of obstacles in her life, but she continues to follow Jesus.

I applied to Baylor, and I got accepted. I don’t know how much money I’m going to receive or how much I need, so MCC is another one of my choices. I just have to find out about my FAFSA and scholarships.

What are your plans for college? I applied to Baylor, and I got accepted. I don’t know how much money I’m going to receive or how much I need, so MCC is another one of my choices. I just have to find out about my FAFSA and scholarships. What are you going to study? My major is going to be education, secondary, mathematics. I want to be a high school math teacher. What did you want to be when you were younger? A teacher. It’s what I’ve always wanted to be. Growing up, what is something your mother always told you? To finish school. Always help others. She always helps others and doesn’t get anything back, and she has no problem with it. She’s just ready to help others. That’s something I like about her. Always be kind to others. She’s always kind. That’s what I’ve learned from her. What’s something that you can’t live with out? My best friend, Edgar. What is one word that describes you? Determined.

I’ve been accepted to Baylor. I think I’m going to study English literature and go on to be a professor.

 What are your plans for college? I’ve been accepted to Baylor. I think I’m going to study English literature and go on to be a professor.
Growing up, what is something your mother always told you? Remember whose daughter you are. Any time I leave the house, that’s what I hear. What’s something you can’t live without? Probably my mom. There’s a certain point where the schoolwork does get to me or the stress. She’s kind of always the one that says, ‘You need to relax. Put things in perspective. Go out. Have a good time.’ What is one word that describes you? Dedicated. Who is someone that inspires you? My junior English teacher, Ms. Vanvalkenburg. We call her Ms. V. I don’t think people understand what teachers do on a daily basis to help us. High school kids aren’t the funnest in the world to be around when you’re a teacher, especially seniors because we just don’t want anything to do with it. I think it takes a very special person to do what teachers do.

I would like to become an occupational therapist. I haven’t decided on a school yet. I’m leaning toward either Texas Women’s in Denton or Texas Tech.

What are your plans for college? I would like to become an occupational therapist. I haven’t decided on a school yet. I’m leaning toward either Texas Women’s in Denton or Texas Tech. What did you want to be when you were younger? Well, I grew up on a dairy farm, so I think when I was younger I kind of thought I would take after my dad, but that’s been changed. What is something most people don’t know about you? I’m shy at first, but once you get to know me, I’m pretty outgoing. Growing up, what is something your mother always told you? To just do what makes you happy. What is something you can’t live without? My family. What is one word that describes you? Motivated. Who is someone that inspires you? I had a Spanish teacher last year, Ms. Trimble, who really inspired me. She just made you look at everything in a different way. She would always start the class off with inspirational quotes. What will you miss about Waco when you go off to college? I’ll miss my family.

I am actually waiting to hear from my top choice, which is Princeton. If I get in, I plan to go to Princeton and then major in philosophy.

What are your plans for college? I am actually waiting to hear from my top choice, which is Princeton. If I get in, I plan to go to Princeton and then major in philosophy. What did you want to be when you were younger? A teacher. My mom is a teacher, too, so that’s kind of what I thought I would do, and it hasn’t changed much since then. What is something most people don’t know about you? I actually don’t have a television in my house. Growing up, what is something your mother always told you? Keep focus. Keep God number one and your goals number two and kind of go from there. What’s something you can’t live without? Either my piano or my cellphone. What is one word that describes you? Dedicated. Who is someone that inspires you? My old piano teacher, Mr. Edwards. I’ve kept up with him since I was in third grade, and he recently passed away from brain cancer. What will you miss about Waco when you go off to college? For one thing, the heat. It’s very cold up there.