Gregory Hayes Whorton, a senior at Lakeside High School, was recently named as one of the semifinalists for the National Merit Scholarship program.
"I have been working so hard for so long, and I feel like a lot of that is paying off now. It's nice that I feel more secure about my college options now," Whorton said.
He said it was exciting to be selected and credits the fact he has spent his school years trying to improve himself to be the best that he can be.
Whorton said some undeniable factors gave him an advantage over a lot of people who "desperately deserved the semifinalists' spots," such as the roles his parents played in his education, the great teachers Lakeside has given him and his socioeconomic status.
Whorton said he feels he deserves the finalist spot because he devotes a lot of time and effort to advancing himself academically and studying, noting he gave up other interests so he could improve in those areas.
Every one of the semifinalists selected "is definitely very intelligent, very bright and very capable. I'd be surprised if I wasn't at least as capable as the rest of them," Whorton said.
Whorton's plan for the next four years is going to college and while he has not made a final decision, the University of Chicago is his first choice, he said.
"My tentative plan is to major in philosophy so that I can go on and get a law degree. My goal for the next four years is just to study as hard as I can, not get booked away in any other aspect of college and to make sure that I'm focusing on my main goal," he said.
His main motivation to succeed and excel throughout high school is his desire for his work to help improve the world and to help people, he said.
"I just want to be able to do that to the best of my abilities, which is why I work hard now. I know that when I'm older, whatever I'm doing, I can help people in the world as best I can," Whorton said.
One of Whorton's proudest accomplishments is making All-State Jazz Band twice, he said, noting he is hoping for a third.
Because COVID-19 has limited many opportunities this year, the students had to write an essay and provide information about themselves, he said, noting previous years there was a test given.
"I am really happy to get a chance to be a part of this and make it to the semifinalist (spot) because I know a lot of people were equally deserving," Whorton said.