Chad Cooper is an athlete, is involved in student organizations and is an outstanding student.
The Southwestern Central School senior is preparing to graduate in just a few short weeks. When he does, the high school will be having some big shoes to fill.
Throughout his high school career, Chad has participated in football, baseball, wrestling and track, although he says that he is unable to pick out a favorite sport.
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Chad Cooper
"Each sport has a different extreme," Chad explained.
Last summer, Chad traveled to the State University at Morrisville after he was chosen to attend Boys State, which is a nonpartisan school of government. It attempts to educate young citizens in their duties, rights and responsibilities of American citizenship. There, he spent a week participating in workshops on government, the political process and leadership.
Additionally, Chad has been recognized as a scholar athlete, and has been recognized for having the highest grade point average in his weight class in wrestling.
In school, Chad, at the time of his interview, was ranked thirteenth in his graduating class. He is also an active member of Key Club, as well as honor society.
Chad said that he has always enjoyed science classes in school, picking out physics as his favorite subject. Math, however, comes in a close second. Like many students who enjoy science and math, Chad said that English is the subject that excites him the least.
Chad has been accepted to both the University of Dayton and the University at Buffalo, although, at the time of his interview, he had not yet chosen which school he would be attending.
However, Chad did say that he planned to study environmental engineering.
"It seems like a subject where a lot of attention is needed. There seem to be a lot more opportunities in engineering than in other fields," Chad said.
Each year since he was in sixth grade, Chad has made the Southwestern Central School honor role. Currently, he boasts an average that is above 92 percent.
Aside from everything that he does around school, Chad also volunteers as an usher at Scared Heart Church in Lakewood.
"I do everything by staying committed and working hard. I know that if I accomplish my goals, I will be successful," Chad said.
To nominate a student for Standing Out In The Crowd, please contact Liz Skoczylas at 487-1111, ext. 249, or email lskoczylas@post-journal.com.