According to the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, which oversees the State Scholar Program, “The State Scholar Program publicly and personally identifies graduating high school seniors who possess superior academic potential.” The competition is fierce, as candidates come from nearly 200 public and private schools across the state. It should go without saying that this is not an honor that is easily earned, as the standards are high and must be consistently maintained over the Scholar’s junior year. But, Owen is no stranger to hard work. He put in the work to keep his GPA up and college entrance exam scores high, on top of competing in track, cross-country, and baseball. “All the work I’ve put into it… the results show it,” he says proudly.

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Speaking of work, Owen is still undecided about a career path when his academic career has ended. After high school, he wants to stay close to Newton, and Olney Central College is at the top of his list. That way, he can live at home and work part-time. As for a field of study, he’s still weighing his options. “At the beginning of the year, I really thought maybe accounting,” he recalls. But, after taking some accounting courses and asking accounting professionals about the field, he’s now rethinking that plan. “I like being active,” he says. “I don’t think I could sit in an office all day.” During school breaks the past couple of years, he has worked for an Effingham cabinet company of which an uncle is part-owner, which satisfies his need for activity. But the trades have pros and cons that must be weighed, as well. Ideally, he’d like to find a balance. “I’d like to do both, where I can be active, and also still work with the numbers,” he says.

 

His favorite classes reveal his affinity for numbers. “I really like calculus, or any class with Mr. Bower,” he confides. “He is one of the best teachers – I’ve enjoyed all of his math classes, because he makes it where you can really understand.” He also enjoyed the Ag Business class he took last year, where they started a business from scratch, and worked on interviewing skills and resume writing. “I feel like it was more of a class that prepared you for life after high school,” he says.

 

Regardless of what he ends up doing, career-wise, Owen can’t see himself settling down in a very highly-populated area. He lives with his parents, two younger siblings, and border collie-lab mix Ace on 30 acres of timber, about ten miles south of Newton. If he were to move somewhere else, he says, “I think it would have to be a very similar place. I don’t think I could live in town for very long.”

 

Despite the reputation he has among his friends for being a little light in the common sense department, Owen is in possession of some hard-earned wisdom and sage advice that he is eager to dispense. “Be confident in what you do. Because, if you are, you’ll be much better at it,” he says. “But, don’t be too cocky – know your limits.” Wise words, indeed, from a young man whose limits will be far from sight for the foreseeable future.