The Brightside: The Future Is Bright For 18 Students Under 18

SALISBURY, Md. — Junior Achievement of the Eastern Shore hosted its annual 18 Under 18 event. A few outstanding students spoke about what makes them special in the newest edition of Brightside, sponsored by Choptank Electric Cooperative.

Junior Achievement of the Eastern Shore Interim President Erin Williamson said, “18 Under 18 — this is our third year running this program, and we’re still blown away every time we see these kids. They are writing books. They are graduating from college before high school. They’re leaders in their classrooms and on the field.”

Students from five counties on the Delmarva Peninsula were recognized and honored for their outstanding accomplishments, leadership and efforts to shape a brighter future.

“We do nominations from all 11 counties that we serve. You get nominated by a community member, a teacher, your mom, your dad — whoever wants to nominate you. Then we have a small selection committee that comes together, and they have the tough job of whittling it down,” Williamson said.

“Part of this event is to keep that momentum and spark alive in them so they keep doing this,” she added.

One student we spoke to was Kirby Bounds, the acting president and lieutenant of the Ocean City Fire Department Cadet Program. She is also a licensed firefighter and EMT who has already helped save a life.

“I was on a call during Bike Week, and there was a pedestrian struck by a motorcycle. During the call, I found out it was somebody in my grade. It was a very scary and sad event, but I was able to assist everybody on the scene,” Bounds said.

She’s just getting started. Her next destination is Hood College, where she plans to play softball and pursue a pre-med degree.

“I’m going to be getting my pre-med degree, and I’m hoping to become an emergency medicine physician or some sort of doctor. But I always want to continue giving back through the fire service. It’s what I love. It’s what I grew up with,” Bounds said.

Another student is already conquering one of the most common fears — public speaking — and he’s only 10 years old.

Sasih Gupta said, “I decided to break that fear and make that 77% higher than other people. So, I did public speaking first. I didn’t even know what to say. I wasn’t prepared, but after that I became much more prepared. Determination is one of my life skills.”

Even though Gupta can hold quite the conversation, he hopes to become a soccer player and an engineer.

“I really like engineering because I did ham radio, which could help with technology and engineering. I think it would be very fun to explore,” Gupta said.

The last student we spoke to was Madeline Tomlinson, a horticulture enthusiast researching the effects fungi have on growing wildflowers.

“I got to write about that research in a paper for the World Food Prize and the Global Institute, and I got to present it in Des Moines, Iowa, as one of three students from Maryland,” Tomlinson said.

Her work is hardly done as she heads to St. Mary’s College of Maryland to further her studies in environmental science and marine science.

“I would really love to work in conservation. I think being an environmental compliance consultant would be so cool or doing any kind of marine science research. Marine science is really my passion. I would love to work with marine megafauna like sharks and sea turtles while helping protect our waterways and ecosystems,” Tomlinson said.

In honoring the students, it’s hard not to be awestruck by the promise of the next generation.

“The future really looks bright for us here on the Shore,” Williamson said.

Do you have any Bright ideas? Email us at newsroom@wmdt.com