Thursday, Jun. 25, 2009

Teen Hall of Fame

STEVEN CATON
Graduate,
Riverbank High School

Steven is an engineer at heart.

This 18-year-old always has had a knack for science. "I enjoy figuring out how things work, the principles behind them, and how things are built," he said.

During his sophomore year, he designed and built a trebuchet, which works very similar to a catapult. He has launched many things with it, such as microwave ovens and computer monitors. Steven also has launched a 16-pound bowling ball 620 feet in the air, which was his highest record.

Another project that Steven has worked on in the past is an air core transformer. The Tesla coil produces large sparks resembling small lightning bolts. He built the largest coil, which generates 58-inch sparks.

Steven learned many things from creating these mechanisms. "My trebuchet was a great experience, as it taught me many principles of mechanics and construction in general," he said.

Aside from designing different types of devices and building them, Steven also was heavily involved in extra-curriculars at his school. He played on the tennis team and was president of his school's chapter of the California Scholarship Federation. He also co-founded the school's first math club with a friend.

FAMILY: Parents Robert and Cynthia Caton; sister Alex Caton, 20

HOBBIES: Traveling to foreign countries, working on various science/engineering projects

BIGGEST INFLUENCE: My father. He is very passionate about many of his hobbies, and I tend to pursue many interests just as he does.

LAST BOOK I READ FOR PLEASURE: "The Quantum Frontier," a book about the Large Hadron Collider, which is the world's most powerful particle accelerator.

FAVORITE TV SHOW: "No Reservations" — it is a show on the Travel Channel in which Anthony Bourdain, the show's host and a chef, travels to foreign countries.

FAVORITE MUSIC: Jazz

BIGGEST FEAR: Realizing that I could have lived a more meaningful life when I become older. (In other words, I am afraid of not living life to its fullest)

WHAT I'D TELL THE PRESIDENT: Our nation needs to make serious policy changes and cuts now, so all can prosper in the future.

ADVICE FOR KIDS: Don't conform to others in an attempt to please them. Find something you are passionate about and pursue it.

ADVICE FOR ADULTS: Set a great example for your child by being a great parent and model citizen, and odds are, they will be one, too.

WHERE I'LL BE IN 10 YEARS: Working on cutting edge technology as an engineer.

— LOUISE RAMOS / TEENS IN THE NEWSROOM