Thursday, Jul. 09, 2009

Teen Hall of Fame: Kevin Sutherland, Downey High School graduate

Most people think that teens who like science are completely different from teens who like music. Can someone really have a passion for both?

Meet Kevin Sutherland. Kevin has a love for studying science, astronomy in particular, and is also musically talented, proving teens can be interested and successful in various areas.

Kevin was captain of Downey's Science Bowl team all four years of high school, as well as president of the Science Olympiad team for one year. His Science Bowl team placed first in the Central Valley and even advanced to the national competition in Washington, D.C.

"I enjoyed the competitive nature of Science Bowl and had some great teammates who I am still great friends with," Kevin said of his experience with the team. During his three years participating in the Science Olympiad competition, he medaled in 10 events relating to astronomy, food science and health science.

Kevin's other passion is music. He has been playing the piano for more than eight years and currently helps lead the youth service at his church by playing the bass guitar. He continues to learn more about music as well as use his talent to serve in the community.

This past year, Kevin served as a mentor for a junior high student through the program Youth for Christ. "It's been an amazing and rewarding experience. I've really enjoyed working with him and helping to push him towards graduation," he said.

During his time at Downey, Kevin was also part of the basketball team for his freshman and sophomore years. He played baseball his sophomore year and was on the tennis team his junior and senior years, competing as the second-ranked tennis player at Downey.

Kevin was also chosen to attend Boys State, a program that teaches teens about how the government is really run. He spent a week at California State University, Sacramento, last summer and was elected a Boys State Supreme Court justice.

Kevin graduated from Downey with a 4.48 GPA and plans to attend the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena to study astronomy and astrophysics.

FAMILY: Parents, Michael and Loretta Sutherland; sister, Amy Sutherland, 21

HOBBIES: Playing bass, using my telescope, hanging out with my girlfriend and my friends

BIGGEST INFLUENCE: Jesus Christ

LAST BOOK I READ FOR PLEASURE: The Bible

FAVORITE TV SHOW: "Lost"

FAVORITE MOVIES: "Clue" and "Wall-E"

FAVORITE MUSIC: Christian and alternative

FAVORITE BAND: Relient K

BIGGEST FEAR: Spiders larger than a quarter

WHAT I'D TELL THE PRESIDENT: Take good care of the space program.

ADVICE FOR KIDS: Take your parents to Disneyland.

ADVICE FOR ADULTS: Take your kids to Disneyland.

WHERE I'LL BE IN 10 YEARS: I hope to be working for NASA, studying the farthest reaches of space.

-- EMILY KAY SHRADER, TEENS IN THE NEWSROOM

The Teen Hall of Fame honoree receives a $100 check from E.&J. Gallo Winery, movie tickets from Dr. Randy Winter with the Modesto Arts Medical Group, a gift card from Yogurt Mill and bowling passes from Yosemite Lanes.