Whiz Kid: Peter Kallis

Name: Peter Kallis

Age: 18

Grade: Class of 2011

School: Hinsdale Central High School

Accomplishment: Kallis' Hinsdale Central career, which was filled with extracurriculars such as Mock Trial and Model United Nations, culminated in his giving the valedictorian speech at Hinsdale Central's graduation in May. In the fall, Kallis will attend Princeton University, where he hopes to study at the Woodrow Wilson School for International Public Policy. 

Key to Awesomeness: Although many would be nervous to give a commencement address to the class of 2011, Kallis felt up to the challenge due to his experience in Mock Trial and Model United Nations. "Doing two clubs that were centered around public speaking helped me break out of my shell freshman year," Kallis said. "I was excited to be able to give a speech to the whole student body, and I wanted it to have a good balance between humor and reflection on where we've been as a class." 

Kallis, who advised his classmates to hold on to the foundations of their families, friends, and beliefs, describes himself as goal-oriented. "I really wanted to push myself hard throughout high school," Kallis said. "Whenever I enter a new chapter of my life, I strive to set goals for myself." 

What's Next: Kallis won't have to declare his major at Princeton until the end of his sophomore year, but he's already looking forward to studying politics or economics. From there, he plans on going to law school and later entering into politics or becoming a judge; his dream job is to be a Supreme Court justice. First, though, he's excited to navigate his freshman year. He hopes to do well academically as well as find interesting extracurriculars. "I want to make a lot of friends, and form a support group that I can live with," he said. "I want to meet friends that can challenge me, and be around a diverse group of individuals."