Bishop Grandin graduate receives National Advanced Placement Scholar Status

Sep. 21, 2012

Bishop Grandin is very proud and honored to announce Liam Simmons as the recipient of the AP National Scholar. The award is presented to students in the Advanced Placement Program who write and attain a score of 4 or higher (out of a total 5) on at least 5 of the exams they write. 

Such an achievement comes at the price of great commitment and in the case of Liam is done so over and above a vast array of co-curricular and extra-curricular school activities. 

Liam was anything but what would be considered a “run of the mill” academic.  In total, Liam committed to 6 of the available AP courses offered at Bishop Grandin; Chemistry, English Literature, European History, Biology, Calculus AB and finally Physics B. A heavy course load like this, takes enormous dedication and Liam did this as though it was second nature. 

Liam’s commitment to high school was not limited to academics.  Liam also played on a City Champion football winning team two years running, for all three years of high school. In addition, he balanced his academic course work with an interest in trades. Here again, Liam demonstrated his independence by extending his course work by working as an apprentice during his Grade 11 summer. 

Nothing about Liam was average. While most of his student colleagues were writing their Physics and Chemistry diplomas in the school gymnasium, Liam was writing in the mountains of Italy where he was travelling to compete in the Junior World Championship natural luge competition.  Aside from his various achievements within this unique sport, Liam also taught himself how to play both the guitar and the drums, adding yet another hobby to his already diverse repertoire.

Over the three years at Bishop Grandin Liam demonstrated a clear sense of self, and the unique quality of being true to himself whether it was in accordance to pop culture or not. This is reflected even in his post high school choice to take time to travel, work and delve into whatever new adventures European travel may bring. Liam is a truly exceptional role model for future AP students with his maxim of “work harder, not smarter” by which he means that at times, when it seems overwhelming with course work, advanced curriculum, extra projects and team commitments, you simply have to “buckle down and work hard to get through.”

The staff and students at Bishop Grandin would like very much to congratulate Liam on his many successes and look forward to following the path of achievements and adventures that are still to come. 

- Article written by
Susanne Czentye, Advanced Placement, CT
Bishop Grandin High School