KAPAA — “I might do marine biology,” said Jack Walther, a ninth-grade Kapaa High School student recently selected to attend a three-day honors-only program in Washington D.C. focusing on students who want to go into medical research fields or become
KAPAA — “I might do marine biology,” said Jack Walther, a ninth-grade Kapaa High School student recently selected to attend a three-day honors-only program in Washington D.C. focusing on students who want to go into medical research fields or become physicians.
Walter will join students from across the country at the Congress of Future Medical Leaders Feb. 14-16. He’ll hear from Nobel Laureates, National Science Winners and fellow teen medical science prodigies.
“We hope this will really get Jack motivated and inspired,” said his father Dr. Kalani Walther.
Both of Jack’s parents are medical doctors.
“There is no pressure for him to go into the medical field,” said Kalani Walther. “We just want him to keep his options open and broaden his horizons.”
Jack moved to Kauai with his parents from San Francisco at the age of 10 and has noticed some differences between his school on the Mainland and Kauai.
“There’s less homework,” said Jack, “And I like that.”
The extra free time allows Jack to snorkel at Anini Beach once a week and that has tickled his curiosity to explore the field of marine biology further. He has volunteered with the Surfriders digging up abandoned fishing nets, spent a summer in the Junior Lifeguard Program and was involved in the Toys 4 Tots Drive with the Junior Reserve Officers Training Corp.
Richard Rossi, Executive Director, National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists, sponsors of the Congress, commented on Jack’s winning characteristics saying, “Focused, bright and determined students like Jack Walther are our future and he deserves all the mentoring and guidance we can give him.”
The Academy was founded on the belief that they must identify prospective medical talent at the earliest possible age.
“We want people who will change the world,” said Kalani.
As for Jack, he is thrilled to have the opportunity to attend the Congress. But he still makes time for traditional non-academic activities, like one of his favorite games where the challenge is to use your imagination to go wherever the player wants to go, where there are no rules, per se and the only limits are those you self impose.
“In the game, the people in poorer countries have to depend on natural resources,” said Jack.
And with an eye on the big picture for his future, he added, “I’d like to protect endangered animals and plants.”
• Lisa Ann Capozzi, features and education reporter, can be reached at 245-0452 or lcapozzi@thegardenisland.com.
