Special Report: Genius Deconstructed
Rebecca AsoulinManaging EditorThere’s always that one annoying kid in that one class that just always seems to ask one too many questions. What do you care about Ernest Hemingway’s prolific short stories if you’re reading “The Sun Also Rises?” Who cares how many G-Forces it takes to kill a 70 kg man when all you have to do for next week’s test is know the definition?The man or woman behind the eager hand is often someone who wants to learn and not just memorize for a test.“I have a genuine desire and drive to understand [the material], and doing it to the best of my abilities is what causes me to truly understand,” senior Christina Lamell said. “If I just memorize off a sheet of paper I’m going to forget in a week and I don’t want to I want to build on what I know, if I keep forgetting from the past I won’t grow.”These students thrive, whether it be in academics, music or athletics because of their personal motivation. They have, as Lamell aptly puts it, “drive” — inspired by parents, peers, books and sometimes just simply their sheer desire to succeed.Most mistakenly assume that success is only dependent upon talent. And while it is true that those who are driven are often extremely talented, a wealth of talent and a lot of drive can make a much more successful athlete, artist or student then someone with a lot of talent who doesn’t hungrily chase after a passion.The following four students are just a few of the immensely dedicated kids at Samo. From the athlete to the artist, The Samohi, explores what motivates their success, and exactly what it takes to achieve.