Star Students
Photos by Shane Wynn
Too often, we hear news reports about children and teens who get in trouble with the law, have problems in school and treat their communities and classmates with disrespect.
Here at akronlife magazine, we’re dedicated to recognizing the young adults in our neighborhoods who are getting good grades, serving as positive role models to their peers and saving not only their own communities, but the planet, one step at a time.
Meeting these five students has been a pleasure for us, and we hope you’ll enjoy getting to know them as well.
Ben Easton
12th Grade • Archbishop Hoban High School
Ben Easton is only 18 but he already has an impressive two-page resume. He was nominated by his principal, Dr. Mary Anne Beiting.
In addition to serving as class valedictorian, being named an Academic Knight, receiving a Silver Award on the National Spanish Exam and scoring a 5 on both the Advanced Placement English and U.S. History exams, Easton is the editor of the school newspaper, a member of the Knights soccer and varsity track teams, served on student council and plays steel drum, piano and guitar.
He has worked at Camp Christopher and South Street Ministries and participated in the March for Life, Project HOPE and the Homeless Run. He took a campus ministry trip to Ghana, participated in a Chilean exchange program and is attending a medical mission to Honduras this month. He also works at Buehler’s Fresh Foods.
Easton is the son of Patricia and John Easton.
What’s your favorite subject, and why?
My favorite subject is English because, of all things, I enjoy reading and writing most.
What do your friendships say about you?
My friendships show both my interests and character as a person. I prefer to surround myself with caring and intelligent people.
Which cultural icon do you respect the most, and why?
I respect John Steinbeck as an icon for the 20th century because I’ve always felt his style and content reflect the true foundations of the American character and spirit.
Who in your school inspires you to get a good education?
My teachers have encouraged me to get a good education, but my cousin, Anthony Arnone, has inspired me to learn. He attends the University of San Francisco and is a Hoban grad. Just like I plan to be, he’s an English major and has influenced my taste in literature.
What would surprise people about you?
People may be surprised to know that I’m a huge fan of Justin Timberlake.
Rachel Coury
12th Grade • Our Lady of the Elms High School
Scholar/athlete Rachel Coury was nominated by Dr. Ruth Friedman, The Elms’ interim principal, and Sr. Maura Bartel, assistant principal and registrar.
They describe Coury as “dependable, responsible, cooperative, organized and a leader who stresses that everyone is important to the team.”
Coury was president of her class in both the 9th and 11th grades and is president of Coalition, The Elms’ student council. She has maintained Honor Roll status for four years and has held leadership roles with the school’s soccer and basketball teams. She’s been a member of the Spirit Club for three years and was a senior retreat team leader this year.
Coury is the daughter of Carole and Tony Coury.
What’s your favorite subject, and why?
My favorite subject is chemistry. I like the combination of math and science in one class. It’s challenging but still enjoyable. I plan to pursue a career in physical therapy.
What kind of activities do you do outside school?
I volunteer at a nursing home and St. Malachi’s homeless shelter. This past summer I went on a weeklong service trip to New York City working in soup kitchens and serving the homeless.
Which cultural icon do you respect the most, and why?
I greatly admire Dorothy Day, founder of the Catholic Worker. She devoted her life to working for justice and peace throughout the world and had a huge impact on social justice. I had the opportunity to learn a lot about her in New York City where I worked at one of the first Catholic Worker houses.
Who in your school inspires you to get a good education?
The Elms focuses heavily on academics, and all of my teachers motivate me to strive to be the best student possible. I even had one teacher send me a letter over the summer congratulating me on a good score on an AP final exam.
What would surprise people about you?
A lot of people would be surprised to know that I’m not always high-energy outside of school. My favorite activity at home is to take a nice long nap.
Emma Timken
8th Grade • Canton Country Day School
13-year-old Emma Timken was nominated by Paul Monks, her school’s director of admission, because “she is one of the hardest working, caring and compassionate students” he’s ever known.
“Emma has challenged herself in all areas of school life, not only in the classroom and on the athletic fields, but as a leader for her peers and the younger children at CCDS,” Monks says.
Timken loves to read so, naturally, her favorite subject is Language Arts. She also plays three sports: soccer in the fall and spring, basketball in the winter, and track in the spring. She also was co-captain for soccer and basketball.
Timken is the daughter of Jane and Ward “Tim” Timken.
What do you like most about your school?
The thing I like most about my school is the ability to be you whenever and wherever; there is no one to tell you that you can’t be yourself.
Which cultural icon do you respect the most, and why?
The cultural icon that I most respect is Bill Gates, because he didn’t let anyone stop his dreams and ideas.
What career path do you plan to pursue?
I haven’t decided what I would like to do yet, but I know I want to be successful in whatever I do.
Who in your school inspires you to get a good education?
(French teacher) Madame Sommers motivates me to get the most out of my education. She is the most inspiring because she truly cares about us as students and as children.
What would surprise people about you?
I live on a farm with sheep, corn and soybeans.
Cade Capper
8th Grade • Spring Garden Waldorf School
Cade Capper, nominated by Amy Hecky, Spring Garden’s director of admissions and marketing, is not your typical 14-year-old.
He often has philosophical conversations with his mom, takes jujitsu and doesn’t watch television. He was recently accepted as a violinist in the Akron Youth Philharmonic and plans a career as a professional violinist.
During the warm weather, Capper takes on a seasonal hobby. “I like to find Monarch butterfly eggs, raise them in a safe environment and then release them into the wild,” he says. “One summer, I raised 26 Monarchs.”
Capper is the son of Joyce and Ken Capper.
What do you like most about your school?
There’s a lot to like about it! If I have to pick one thing, I guess it’s the teachers and how nice they are. Our teachers really know and respect each student’s personality and their strengths and weaknesses. They really understand what it’s like to be a kid.
Who in your school inspires you to get a good education?
All of my teachers but mostly Julie Carpenter, my orchestra teacher. She was first chair in the Akron Youth Symphony when she was my age!
What kind of extracurricular activities do you do?
I’m on the school basketball team, and I run track in the spring. I am involved with my church’s youth group. I also started a club in Wadsworth for kids who are interested in helping the environment. I named it the Earth Day Crew. We collect recyclables, plant trees and flowers, and pick up trash. I’ve been doing it for four years now.
What one place in the world do you plan to visit, and why?
I would like to go to the Amazon rainforest to see all the plants and animals that live there. People are destroying the rainforests, and I’d like to see one before they’re gone.
Which cultural icon do you respect the most, and why?
I read an article on the plane this summer about Harry Connick Jr. When he was asked what he would tell his 10-year-old self, he replied, “Practice more.” And that really stuck with me.
Jacob Stephens
8th Grade • The Lippman School
14-year-old Jacob Stephens was nominated by Sam Chestnut, Head of The Lippman School.
Wise beyond his years, Stephens says many people in his life have helped him but, “the person who inspires me to do my best is my dad.”
“He inspires me the most because of how hard he works for us to have a good life,” he says. “I might never honestly say that I know anyone that works harder for other people than him.”
Stephens is the son of Michelle and Drew Stephens, and Terry Stephens.
What kind of extracurricular activities do you do?
I do multiple extracurricular activities throughout the year. I’m currently participating in basketball and dive team.
What one place in the world do you plan to visit, and why?
My school took a trip to Israel last year, and I enjoyed the opportunity to go there. I would like to revisit Israel later in my life because it has multiple places that I enjoyed visiting, such as Tel Aviv because of how modern it was, yet at the same time, it is such a historical country.
Which cultural icon do you respect the most, and why?
I respect Michael Jordan the most because he took the time and dedication to become good at the one thing he enjoyed doing most. But, at the same time, he focused on his education and kept up his grades.
What career path do you plan to pursue?
I plan to pursue a career as a lawyer because I’ve been told by almost everyone that I stick to my beliefs and am good at arguing my point.
What would surprise people about you?
The thing that would surprise people about me is that I’ve taken five years of karate and was a brown belt when I stopped training, and I’ve been on a swim team for five years.