Despite already securing a scholarship that funds his undergraduate degree, don’t expect Akilan Sankaran ’25 to take it easy. The Academy junior 和 recipient of the prestigious Coolidge Scholarship is actively involved in many activities, ranging from music 和 sports to scientific research, 和 always gives his best effort.
Akilan learned he was named one of only five 2024 Coolidge Scholars in early May. “我还是不敢相信! When I first found out about the scholarship, I really did not expect to be in contention to win it,他说. “Still, though, I tried to give it my best shot.”
A Coolidge Scholarship is among the most generous college scholarships one can receive. It covers a student’s full tuition, 食宿, 和 required fees for four years of undergraduate study. The Coolidge may be used by recipients at any accredited college or university in the United States.
“Being able to have the ability to select various undergraduate institutions without a direct worry about the financial cost will certainly alleviate the stress quite a bit during senior year 和 going into college,阿基兰说.
Operated by the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation, the Coolidge Scholars Program honors 30th U.S. 卡尔文·柯立芝总统, who was known for his focus on academics 和 public speaking, 主要是关于公共政策. 因此, the main criterion that distinguishes Coolidge Scholars is academic excellence, 其次是谦逊, 服务, 以及对公共政策的兴趣.
At the Academy’s all-school awards ceremony last week, Akilan also received the 2024 Charles Wong Memorial Award, which recognizes academic achievement, 好奇心, 创造力, 和完整性. “His teachers have been uniformly impressed by his drive, 求知欲, 创造力, 热情, 以及杰出的人才,” said 10-12 Division Head David Kim during the award presentation. “Whatever he engages with, in or out of the classroom, he does so with excellence, humor, 和 joy.”
Akilan’s interests are vast, 和 his commitment to them is deep.
作为一个受过古典训练的钢琴家, he has performed with professional orchestras 和 in international competitions. He’s a runner who has been a four-year member of the Academy’s cross-country 和 track 和 field teams. Akilan volunteers at this temple 和 will be part of the Academy’s Student Wellness Advisory Board next school year. In addition to being part of the Science Olympiad 和 Science Bowl teams, his 热情 for math 和 science has led to research in topic modeling, 计算化学, 代数数论, 和, 最近, interdisciplinary research centered in quantum chemistry with S和ia National Laboratories. Akilan has also mentored younger students through the Academy’s new Math Endeavors Club. 他经常为……撰稿 的倡导者, a public forum debater with the speech 和 debate team, 和 a former class officer – activities, 他说, that “often complement my scientific investigations.”
从今年夏天开始, Akilan will join the world of Coolidge Scholars, spending several days in Plymouth Notch, 佛蒙特州, the birthplace of President Coolidge, learning more about Coolidge 和 helping oversee the foundation’s debate programs.
”奖学金,他说, “will hopefully open many new doors for me to enter an amazingly supportive community of individuals in the broader Coolidge community, including both mentors 和 students my age.”
在学院期间, Akilan says he’s been inspired by Alan Vraspir 和 David Metzler, 数学教员. “Both teachers have been fantastic mentors 和 my greatest advocates,他说. “Dr. Metzler possesses an astounding ability to explain abstract, absurdly complex ideas in relatable, 直观类比, 和 the sheer amount of time 和 effort he has contributed to further my own learning has been unparalleled.
“Dr. Vraspir contributes a similar level of intent, rigor, 和 precision.阿基兰说 he’s enjoyed their many conversations about shared interests – “everything from running to logic, from mathematics contests to piano performances.”
Akilan has not yet settled on what he’d like to study when he graduates from the Academy. “It would be interesting to be able to pursue research in applied mathematics or biochemistry in college,他说. “特别, I would like to be able to conduct interdisciplinary research that allows me to establish novel connections between seemingly unrelated concepts. I would also like to potentially pursue a minor, 双学位, or dual-degree enrollment credit in piano performance – preferably at a music conservatory.”