(This article first appeared in the June print issue of the Hendersonian)
Put your head down and do the work.
That’s the disciplined approach that Thomas Berger learned during his high school career, and it’s part of the reason for the myriad awards he’ll walk away from HCHS with.
Berger, the salutatorian, said he first took to the approach as a freshman, when he and every other student in the county were studying from home, and it stuck with him once in-person school resumed.
“I think something that sets me apart is my discipline,” he said.
That discipline, along with a healthy dose of smarts, charisma and ability, has allowed Berger to partake in a bevy of school activities and rack up a long list of awards, including:
• National Merit Finalist (the only finalist at HCHS)
• Mr. Colonel
• Tennis team (made regional semifinals doubles with younger brother, Alton)
• HCHS academic team (finished second in science in regionals and fifth in state)
• Senior Class Vice President
• City of Henderson Junior Ambassador
• Y Club
• Future Business Leaders of America (finished fourth place in business communication in state competition)
• Future Problem-Solving Team
• Health Occupational Students of America
• HCHS Student Ambassadors
Berger has also been awarded several scholarships. From the University of Kentucky, where he’ll attend, he’s been awarded the Presidential Scholarship and the William C. Parker Belonging Scholarship. He also was awarded a $1,000 scholarship from the Lions Club and a $500 National Merit Scholarship, he said.
At UK, he plans to study biology, and after undergraduate work, go to dental school. Later, Berger said he plans to come back to Henderson and open a dentist office.
There were lots of late nights along the way as Berger grinded out his AP courses, he said. But he followed his motto, putting his head down and doing the work.
“It’s been amazing,” Berger said, adding that he believes “Henderson County High School is the best high school in the state of Kentucky.”
