Aaron Youngblood of North Pocono High School
Aaron Youngblood
(COURTESY OF AARON YOUNGBLOOD)
Q: What accomplishments are you most proud of and why?
A: I am most proud of being able to work hard and succeed in my academics, athletics, and extracurricular activities throughout high school because it shows that my diligence has paid off. It motivates me to continue to strive for this balance and find success as I progress toward my college years and beyond. I have been able to receive high grades while also competing in my sports at a high level and contributing meaningfully to my clubs, so I am proud that I was able to accomplish all this with a healthy lifestyle balance.
Q: Whom do you most admire and why?
A: It would be too hard to pick just one person, so I would definitely have to go with my family in general. My parents, grandparents and siblings have all played a pivotal role in shaping me into who I am today. I certainly would not be the person I am today without them. I definitely credit my grandma’s inner teacher for instilling in me a deep respect for learning, which I have carried with me since I was young. I am very grateful for all these people in my life and their huge positive impacts on me.
Q: What were your most rewarding school or community activities? Why?
A: I would say my most rewarding school activities involve two specific clubs that I am a very active member in, Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science and Future Business Leaders of America. Throughout my time in high school, I participated in these clubs and was able to place first in PJAS each year for science projects I have created and presented to judges. In FBLA, I have qualified for states each year. I worked with two of the other Scholastic Superstars, Gabe and Billy, and we have been very successful in our data analysis projects. These experiences have really taught me the importance of problem solving and working well with a team. In my community, volunteering at Griffin Pond Animal Shelter is definitely the most rewarding activity that I participate in. I love to express my passion for animals by caring for cats or walking dogs at the shelter.
Q: What do you do in your spare time?
A: I love going to the gym to work out, but more broadly I really enjoy doing any type of physical fitness or sport whenever possible. Playing soccer, going for a run, or playing a round of golf are always relaxing activities for me. As an avid Steelers fan, watching Sunday football is a stressful, yet very enjoyable hobby of mine. Hanging out with friends, playing video games, and listening to music are all some of the other ways I spend my time. Apart from these activities, I also love to stay curious, and I am always prepared to learn something new.
Q: What are your plans after high school graduation? Why did you choose this path?
A: I plan to attend the University of Scranton, where I am currently leaning toward a major in mechanical engineering but am also very interested in finance. The common thread for me is the analytical approach that they share. Using data and logic to solve complex problems has always piqued my interest in my classes and clubs. Additionally, my fascination with physics and math courses in high school has driven me to pursue a field where I can apply these concepts to real-world problem solving. My experiences in PJAS and FBLA have also helped shape my plans to aim toward one of these two fields, and I am excited to see where my college years direct me.
Q: What is your advice to younger students?
A: I think the best advice I can give is to learn to live in the moment and to enjoy your time in high school. It is important to have plans for your future and to take advantage of the opportunities you are given, but your high school experience only happens once and goes by in the blink of an eye. Make sure you are present for all of it, not just the parts that go on a college application.
Q: Finish this sentence: The most interesting thing about me is ..
A: I have a very strong passion for traveling. Something about going to a place with a completely different culture than my own and learning more about it is very exciting to me. My goal is to travel around the whole world and immerse myself in various cultures to learn more about all these different places. I would love to start my journey by traveling abroad during my college years, especially to Spain. My love for traveling started when I was young, and it has stayed with me ever since.
A little about Aaron Youngblood
Aaron Youngblood of North Pocono High School is the valedictorian of his class and won honors with the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science. His school says he is grounded, kind and universally respected.
The Moscow resident is the son of Jean Marie Youngblood and Sean Youngblood.
Aaron also stood out for accomplishments with the Future Business Leaders of America. He is a multisport athlete and captain of the soccer team. His other activities include track and field, Scholastic Bowl, student council, the finance club, Interact, the National Honor Society, volunteering at the Griffin Pond Animal Shelter, Mathletes and year-round jobs.