2012 Academic All-Star nominees

Additional 2012 Academic All-Star coverage

2012 Academic All-Stars are impressive, humble

Free State’s Ruben Ghijsen is 2012’s top Academic All-Star

From Dakar to D.C. to Eudora, 2002’s academic all-stars continue pursuit of excellence

Judges exceedingly impressed with this year’s All-Stars

Peter Cooney III

School: Bishop Seabury Academy

Grade-point average: 4.2

Class rank: 1 of 20

Parents: Pete Cooney Jr. and Susan Curatolo

College and career plans: Attend the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.

Alex Courtney

School: McLouth High School

Grade-point average: 4.0

Class rank: 1 of 57

Parents: Mike and Jenny Courtney

College and career plans: Will attend Garden City Community College on football scholarship, then enter the military. Would like to pursue a career in medicine.

Clara Foster

School: Perry-Lecompton High School

Grade-point average: 4.0

Class rank: 1 of 60

Parents: Wayne and Tammy Foster

College and career plans: Attend Kansas University and major in English.

Guangwei Fu

School: Bishop Seabury Academy

Grade-point average: 4.1

Class rank: 2 of 20

Parents: Bin Fu and Kui Zhang

College and career plans: Attend college.

Bradley Harris

School: Lawrence Free State High School

Grade-point average: 4.0

Class rank: 1 of 390

Parents: Scott and Amy Harris

College and career plans: Attend Kansas University and major in engineering. Perhaps go to law school and specialize in patent law.

Cadence Ishmael

School: Ottawa High School

Grade-point average: 4.0

Class rank: 1 of 120

Parents: Stephen and Lori Ishmael

College and career plans: Attend Ottawa University and major in business and music.

Chelsea Jamison

School: Ottawa High School

Grade-point average: 4.0

Class rank: 1 of 120

Parents: Delbert and Linda Jamison

College and career plans: Attend Washburn University, become a physical therapy assistant, earn a bachelor’s degree in biology, attend physical therapy school.

Jordan Miller

School: Oskaloosa High School

Grade-point average: 4.0

Class rank: 1 of 136

Parents: Robert and Jill Miller

College and career plans: Attend Baker University to obtain a degree in secondary education in mathematics and English. Also plans on competing in track and field.

Jamison Montes de Oca

School: Lawrence High School

Grade-point average: 4.0

Class rank: 1 of 403

Parents: Israel and Susan Montes de Oca

College and career plans: Study cellular biology at Kansas University or Baker University, with a minor in Spanish.

Elijah Penny

School: Veritas Christian School

Grade-point average: 4.0

Class rank: 1 of 8

Parents: David and Carmiletta Penny

College and career plans: Attend an in-state college and major in nursing.

Claire Peterson

School: Baldwin High School

Grade-point average: 4.0

Class rank: 1 of 106

Parents: Bruce and Diane Peterson

College and career plans: Attend University of Missouri-Kansas City and major in nursing and obtain a minor in business.

Preston Randall

School: Veritas Christian Academy

Grade-point average: 3.5

Class rank: Not provided

Parents: Jeffrey and Kelly Randall

College and career plans: Attend Kansas University and study Arabic or Russian. Hopes to become a Navy SEAL.

Caleb Smith

School: Wellsville High School

Grade-point average: 4.0

Class rank: 1 of 57

Parents: Jason and Kim Smith

College and career plans: Major in aerospace engineering at Wichita State University.

Benjamin Williams

School: Tonganoxie High School

Grade-point average: 4.0

Class rank: 1 of 156

Parents: Mark and Debra Williams

College and career plans: Attend Kansas University or Kansas State University and major in chemical engineering.

Photo gallery: 2012 Academic All-Star nominees

photo by: Mike Yoder

Peter Cooney III, Bishop Seabury Academy

Alex Courtney, McLouth High School

photo by: Mike Yoder

Clara Foster, Perry-Lecompton High School

photo by: Mike Yoder

Guangwei Fu, Bishop Seabury Academy

photo by: Mike Yoder

Bradley Harris, Lawrence Free State High School

photo by: Mike Yoder

Cadence Ishmael, Ottawa High School

photo by: Mike Yoder

Chelsea Jamison, Ottawa High School

photo by: Mike Yoder

Jordan Miller, Oskaloosa High School

photo by: Mike Yoder

Jamison Montes de Oca, Lawrence High School

photo by: Mike Yoder

Elijah Penny, Veritas Christian School

photo by: Mike Yoder

Claire Peterson, Baldwin High School

photo by: Mike Yoder

Preston Randall, Veritas Christian Academy

photo by: Mike Yoder

Caleb Smith, Wellsville High School

photo by: Mike Yoder

Benjamin Williams, Tonganoxie High School