Lexi Burns’ passion for math and science helped her get the highest GPA among Center Grove High School seniors.
As valedictorian, she earned a spot at Georgetown University in Washington D.C., where she’ll pursue a degree in either math or physics, she said.
“Math always came pretty natural to me, it makes a lot of sense. Calculus was my favorite year of math; we worked a lot on theory,” Burns said.
“I never did physics until sophomore year. It helps explain how everything around us works with forces. There’s a lot of math in that.”
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Along with her interest in math and physics, Burns considers the medical field as a possibility after she graduates college. Her interest in medicine has her in the midst of developing two patents. One of them is meant to improve traditional epinephrine. Epinephrine injections are used to alleviate allergic reactions. For her and other peanut allergy sufferers, access to the medication can mean the difference between life and death.
She’s also working on a patent having to do with emergency medicine and blood loss, although she wouldn’t disclose more details.
With her medical interest, she joined the Health Occupations Students of America-Future Health Professionals club, her favorite club she’s been a part of, she said. With the club, she participated in numerous competitions involving physical therapy, medical math and medical innovations. In the physical therapy competition, for example, club members take a multiple choice test and perform various skills related to the field.
Although Burns hasn’t fully committed to the medical field, she plans on taking the Medical College Admission Test. If she passes, she’ll be able to attend medical school.
Preparing for college is bittersweet, as she’ll continue to move towards her goals but will be farther from the friends she grew attached to during her time in high school. She’ll also miss the teachers who inspired her, she said.
“I’m going to miss a lot of the teachers. They’re accommodating and happy to let you come in and talk to them,” Burns said.
“I’m really sad a lot of my friends are going out of state to different places. We’ll see each other in reunions and try to get to see each other as much as possible.”
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Name: Lexi Burns
Age: 18
Parents: Diedra and Aaron Burns
Residence: Greenwood
College plans: Majoring in physics or math at Georgetown University in Washington D.C.
Career goals: Going into physics, math or the medical field
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