School: Free State High School; Grade-point average: 4.0; Class rank: 1; Parents: Rick Frydman and Amy Lee, Lawrence

Hannah Frydman likes to meld together different disciplines for school projects.

That’s why National History Day, and the historical documentaries she’s been able to put together, appeal to her interests in history and photography.

“It allows me to go really in-depth with things,” said Frydman, a Free State High School senior.

She wants to major in history at college, but she’s unsure of a specific career path at this time. Frydman has applied to several colleges and is waiting to make her decision.

“I want to go to a liberal arts school, continue figuring out what I can do and learning in a broader sense. That’s what I think higher education should be about,” she said.

Frydman also said she has appreciated the flexibility of her high school curriculum that has allowed her to take orchestra, choir and photography courses.

She’s also gained encouragement from her photography and humanities teacher, Marsha Poholsky, who Frydman said finds time to work individually with students.

Frydman’s academic abilities aren’t in dispute because of her 4.0 grade-point average and other achievements. But she said her parents, Rick Frydman and Amy Lee, and her Free State teachers have also instilled in her a desire to dig deeper.

“It’s important to really try and take in everything that you’re learning,” Frydman said.

Honors, activities: National History Day (9-12), first place state (9), third place state (11); first place black and white photo contest (2008); Harvard Book Award (2007); Robert J. Dole Youth Civic Leadership Institute 2007; National French Exam top 10 (2007); KCDA state women’s choir (2006); Faultless Freshman Award orchestra (2005); Knowledge Master Open (2004-05); NHS (2006-present); National Art Society (2005-present), president (2007-08); Excalibur (2003-05); string orchestra (2004-07); chamber choir (2006-present), junior varsity soccer (2006); French Club (2005-present), vice president (2007-08)

College: Kansas University and KU Honors Program

Career plans: Undecided

Major: History