OBSERVER  ACADEMIC  ALL-STARS   • May 2005   • 3 David William Budde Detroit Catholic Central David William Budde of Novi plans to attend the University of Michigan, to study computer science and become a computer programmer. Budde’s a Michigan Mathematics Prize Competition Finalist, a National Merit Finalist and a National Honor Society member. He won second place in the school writing con- test, and Outstanding Exhibit and five professional awards at the Science and Engineering Fair of Metro Detroit. Budde’s a varsity team member of the Academic Team, clarinet section leader in the marching and symphonic band, and in school Web site production, tutoring and liturgical music at Church of the Holy Family. Robert Talbot, math instructor and head of CC’s Web site production group, is the teacher who had the greatest influence on Budde. “Mr. Talbot’s classes have been among the most enlightening and enjoyable classes I have taken in high school, primarily because of his obvious love of teaching and of the field of mathematics,” he said. “He also recognizes that the role of a teacher is to lead his students to a true under- standing of his subject. ... Even more impressive, however, is his willingness to learn as well as teach.” To improve education, Budde said, “It is ... important to use a curriculum that challenges, but does not overwhelm, students at all levels of abili- ty ... and to orient courses toward material that is practically useful, intellectually stimulating and beneficial to personal development, rather than simply teaching according to standardized tests. “Having strong extracurricular activities in a variety of fields ... also improves the quality of education by increasing students’ interest in their school and community and by promoting personal growth. “The most significant factor determining the quality of education, however, is the quality of educators.” Budde is the son of Greg and Anna Budde, and the brother of Francis, 20; Steven, 19; and Adam, 16. Lisa Tian Canton High School Lisa Tian was born in Baochang, China, and moved to Montreal, Canada, when she was 3 years old. Tian learned to speak French and lived in Canada for nine years. In the fifth grade, she moved to Australia, where she learned to speak English. Her family moved to Canton Township in her freshman year where she says: “I rolled up my sleeves and got to work. I’ve loved high school ever since.’’ Tian, who loves to paint, sculpt and sketch, has excelled in high school. She’s undecided about which college she will attend. Possible majors include biology and international relations. Tian won Plymouth-Canton Board of Education awards for perfect SAT score and participation in the Science Olympiad. Her other awards include the 22nd Michigan Science Olympiad Award of Excellence, three Alma College Math Challenges and the TOPSs Outstanding Student in Psychology Award. She’s a National Honor Roll member, a National Merit Finalist, a My Lead Seminar alternate, a National Honor Society Executive Board officer, a member of Who’s Who Among American High School Students and Student of the Month in 2001. Tian was a volunteer neighborhood tutor (in math, English and piano over a summer; and after school for middle and high school students), presi- dent and founder of the Dynamic Arts Club, presi- dent of the Teen Advisory Board, president of the Math Olympiad, events captain and medalist of the Science Olympiad, secretary of the Great Books Club and a student ambassador. She volunteered to spearhead a new program at the Plymouth Canton Education Park (PCEP) called PCEP Friends, also known as Friends of Freshmen. Joan Pence, an AP biology instructor, is the teacher who had the greatest influence on Tian. “She got me excited about biology and changed the focus of my entire career,” Tian said. To improve education Tian would “provide more incentives for students to do well’’ and start the school day one hour later so that overworked kids can get a good night’s sleep. Tian is the daughter of Suqing Ahang and Chenuo Tian, and the sister of John, 11. Han Zhu Canton High School Han Zhu of Canton Township plans to attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology or Princeton University, to study biomedical engi- neering and become either a professor of biomed- ical engineering or a physician. Zhu is a National Merit Scholarship Finalist, an AP Rising Scholar with Honor, a Finalist in the 2003 and 2004 Michigan Mathematics Prize Competitions and Student of the Month. She won the Society of Women Engineers Certificate of Merit, three state medals (one first place and two sixth places) and six regional medals (three first places, two second places and one fourth place) in the Science Olympiad, an Academic Letter for the highest score on PCEP on the American Mathematics Competition in the Math Olympiad and the Detroit Chinese Engineers Association Outstanding High School Student Scholarship Award. Zhu reached Level 8 in the Michigan Music Teachers Association Piano Exam and published Chinese essays in the Greater Detroit Chinese- American News. Harry Greanya, honors biology instructor at PCEP, is the teacher who had the greatest influ- ence on Zhu. “He’s not only a wonderful teacher, but he’s also a coach of the Science Olympiad team that I’ve been involved in since I was a freshman,” she said. “Over these past four years, Mr. Greanya’s careful, casual and wise guidance has helped me grow a lot.” To improve education, Zhu said, “I would set up a standard national curriculum. Currently, high schools are too varied in what they teach and when they teach it; this makes it inconvenient to transfer students, who are often forced into dizzy- ing switches of curriculum, and colleges, who have to consider a large number of uncertain factors when admitting students. “A standard national curriculum would elimi- nate these problems and help upkeep the level of public education in the U.S.” Zhu is the daughter of Qiang Zhu and Yanping Ahang, and the sister of Kayla, 4. Joy Schultz Lutheran High Westland Joy Schultz of Detroit plans to attend Hillsdale College, to study psychology, English and Spanish and become a teacher. Schultz is valedictorian of her class and a National Merit Finalist. She participated in cross country, track and field, drama and musicals, chamber singers and concert choir and was Guardian Lutheran Youth president. Kent Weier, world history, sophomore English and AP U.S. history instructor, is the teacher who had the greatest influence on Schultz. “He helped improve my writing skills tremen- dously, and made me look at baklava as I never had before,” she said. To improve education, Schultz said, “To improve education I would focus on the need for parents to raise their children so that teachers can teach rather than raise them. But when discipline is needed in the classroom, I think that teachers should be allowed to enforce it so that students aren’t running amok. “I think it would be beneficial if Christian princi- ples and commandments were included in a school’s curriculum so that students are not only well educated but well principled, because that is the key to raising tomorrow’s leaders.” Schultz is the daughter of Ronald and Sandra Schultz, and the sister of Paul, 22; Mark, 21; and John, 19.