Holt High School Grad to Study Biological Engineering at MIZZOU

Whiz Kid: Chandler Est, 18,

School:Holt graduate, now attending the University of Missouri at Columbia.

Accomplishment: Est graduated from Holt with a 4.23 GPA, an ACT score of 34 and a Bright Flight honor. He will major in biological engineering at Mizzou in the fall with a Missouri Bright Flight scholarship.

Est completed an independent science research project with the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center in St. Louis during his senior year, studying algae bio-fuels, specifically the role of iron as a micronutrient.

Key to Awesomeness: Est played the trumpet in the band and received honorable mention in the state competition. He said his success is largely based on his experiences in band. “A lot of things, clubs, etc, in high school, I did because I had friends in band who suggested them,” he said. “What really mattered was my motivation. My parents told me I had to join band.  It was probably the best thing I did. Because of band, I was able to get to know kids from all different social circles. I thought, ‘Why shouldn’t I try?’ I can challenge myself to see how far I can go and I don’t have to do it alone.”