2017's 20 Under 20: Adam Lance, Rock Bridge High School

Age:

17.

Parents’ names:

John and Susan Lance.

Post-graduation plans:

After graduating high school, I’ll be attending the United States Naval Academy and anticipate majoring in mechanical engineering.

Dream job:

To be a U.S. Naval Aviator.

Favorite class in high school and favorite teacher:

My favorite class in high school has been AP World History, which I actually took when I used to live in North Carolina. I enjoyed this class because it was especially challenging, and I always felt that my teacher, Mrs. Chiles, did an amazing job keeping my classmates and I invested while helping us truly understand what we were learning.

Favorite club or extracurricular in high school:

My favorite club has been Rock Bridge’s Heifer International Core, which I was a member of as a junior and a leader of my senior year. The purpose of Heifer is to raise money for impoverished families worldwide to help fight hunger and promote self-sufficiency, and I’ve found it a very rewarding experience.

Proudest accomplishment in high school:

My proudest high school accomplishment has been graduating from the Leader in Training Program at Camp Don Lee, in my home state of North Carolina, and getting certified in lifeguarding, wilderness first aid, and sailing counseling.

Best advice you’ve ever received:

The best advice I’ve received is “With hard work and perseverance, you can achieve anything you put your mind to.”

Biggest lesson learned in high school:

The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that you can’t always do everything on your own, so it’s important to appreciate and utilize the help of others.

Future goals:

Before I leave for the Naval Academy, it’s my goal to finish earning my private pilot’s license.

Person I admire and why:

I admire my old guitar teacher, Eddie Drake. He gave me and many other students a strong foundation and appreciation of music, and I’ve always had a great deal of respect for him.

What you do for fun:

I like to spend time with friends, play guitar, and explore Columbia’s many trails with my dogs.