Source: Akron Beacon Journal
Photo: Karen Schiely, ABJ

Name: Luke Buckingham

School: Firestone High School

School district: Akron Public Schools

Age: 17

Grade level: Junior

Grade point average: 3.5

College choice: University of Akron

Parents: Jennifer and Rebecca Buckingham

School activities: Business Professionals of America, DECA, Student School Board

Community activities: School board meetings, volunteered with canned food drive, poll greeter, marathon and 5K races, volunteer with local Democratic Party for sample ballots

Honors and awards: Half marathon and marathon medals, honor roll, merit roll, DECA state qualifier

Describe yourself in three words: High energy, motivated, compassionate

What is your favorite high school memory? Running the Akron Marathon for the first time

What is your favorite class and why? Government because it is discussion based with a variety of opinions. It allows us to think about how to make a more functioning system that works for everyone.

How do you enjoy spending your time outside of school? Running, video games, working and traveling

What’s on your playlist? The Black Keys and AC/DC

What’s your favorite book? Calvin and Hobbes (still my favorite)

What is your ideal career? Not sure yet, but maybe a teacher

Most people would be surprised to know that I... run marathons

What’s the biggest issue facing teenagers today? Lack of sleep because it leads to lack of focus. This happens because of all the extra things teenagers do besides school and the struggle to balance all these activities.