Jordan Shelton will be part of the 2014 graduating class at Stanford University.
Photo by Rebecca Holt
Born in Torrance, California, Jordan Shelton will soon be returning to his home state, this time to attend Stanford University, one of the most prestigious higher education institutes in the nation.
Shelton found himself at Thomas Jefferson because of the Computer Magnet Program. ”I thought the program had a good academic structure as opposed to the IB program and all their homework at schools like George Washington,” said Shelton. By coming to TJ, Shelton found himself in many of the 3-D design classes and enjoys working on many of the projects as a hobby.
A busy student, Shelton is involved with a multitude activities. He runs track and cross-country during the school year and spends many of his summers tutoring elementary and middle school children from the Denver-Metro area. “I began to do this through CABPES, the Colorado Association of Black Professional Engineers and Scientists. It is basically a summer program that students sign up for and receive help with math,” said Shelton. CABPES concentrates on helping students who want to pursue careers in engineering and science by helping represent minority students in these fields of work, something Shelton might see himself doing in the future. “Jordan is an incredibly bright guy. I’m sure the work he will do will change the world someday,” said Nelson Vore, Shelton’s physics teacher for the past two years.
When it came time to apply for college, Jordan knew exactly were he wanted to go. “I’ve wanted to go to Stanford since I was ten. It’s just a great school and I love California as well,” said Shelton. Glad to finally be done with high school, Jordan is looking forward to the freedoms of a college student. “Sleeping in, the great campus, the open space and location of the school are all things I am excited about,” he said. Being only forty-five minutes from San Francisco, the upcoming years look to be some of the most exciting for Jordan.
Shelton is in no hurry to decide what he wants to study. “I am thinking of either engineering or physics, but I don’t have to decide until the end of my sophomore year,” he said. Challenging himself in math and science during the past three years, Shelton now feels ready to move on to more challenging classes. For this school year two of his favorite and most challenging classes are AP calculus and AP physics. “The best thing I will remember Jordan for was his awesome scrambler in honors physics,” said Vore. The scrambler project consisted of getting a cart and an egg to move more than ten meters and reach a certain marked spot using only momentum and energy created by the vehicle.
“One of my favorite memories here is the cardboard boat races in AP physics. We got to work on something out of the ordinary and play in the pool until all the cardboard boats had sunk,” said Jordan. On top of enjoying being in his physics and calculus classes, Shelton mostly enjoys spending time with his friends and listening to music. “I listen to everything, but mostly R&B and hip hop,” said Shelton.
With a cumulative GPA of 4.3 and recognition in both Track and Cross Country, Shelton has been able to accomplish his dream of going to Stanford for the 2010-2011 school year.
