Neil Sheth Wins Young Leaders Award and the Rensselaer Medal

Bolingbrook High School’s Suraj (Neil) Sheth has been named the winner of the George Eastman (Kodak) Young Leaders Award.

The award is given to an outstanding junior who has demonstrated strong leadership at school and in the community, has achieved high grades in challenging courses, and is extensively involved in extracurricular activities. 

Sheth, who will be a senior in the fall, also received the Rensselaer Medal for exemplary achievement in the study of math and science.  He is a National Finalist in the Chemistry Olympiad and also won second place at WYSE at the state level in biology, after winning the gold medal in regionals and sectionals.

The Captain of the BHS Scholastic Bowl Team is passionate about three causes: healthcare, education, and the environment, all of which he believes are inter-related.  He is the President of four BHS clubs, Future STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) and Healthcare Leaders of America, Model United Nations and Public Debate Forum, The Environmental Club and The Asian American Club. 

Sheth also won a scholarship to attend the Congress of Future Medical Leaders in 2014 through the National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists.

“As future leaders of America, it is important for BHS students to get involved in finding solutions for challenges that face the world today through respectful dialogue and negotiations,” he said. “The key to intellectual growth is to understand the different contexts relative to varied world perspectives and be open to the viability of others’ points of view.” 

 “Neil has always displayed a very high level of intellectual curiosity and a genuine desire for the pursuit of knowledge,” said Bolingbrook High School Principal Michael White. “With his high aspirations, continued successes and achievements in diverse areas, combined with a high level of energy, he will go far in life and do great things for our nation.”

Editor's note: This article was submitted by Valley View.