Peter Critikos

1. Peter Critikos A Day in the Life

2. Salutations • My Name is Peter John Critikos III. • I am seventeen years old and a senior at Hendersonville High School- a school located in the Henderson County District. • Throughout my adolescence, I have led a life of service, and I wish to continue that commitment to others through becoming a politician. • Receiving the William Randolph Hearst Scholarship and serving on the United States Senate Floor will allow me to set a foundation on which to achieve this goal.

3. Involvement • Organizations through which I better my community: • Boy Scouts of America • Student Government • The Key Club • Greek Orthodox Youth Association • National Honor Society

4. Boy Scouts of America • I have been involved with Scouting for a majority of my life. • I have held several leadership positions within my troop including Senior Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, and Patrol Leader. • Recently, I have received the rank of Eagle- an accolade which reflects my true passion and dedication to serve others. • I have also been elected into the Order of the Arrow, an elite faction of scouts otherwise known as “The Brotherhood of Cheerful Service.”

5. Student Government • Currently, I am the Vice President of my Senior Class. • Every week, I meet with other senior class officers to devise new plans to make our high school an environment rich in character. • One of the activities that has already been conducted was a letter writing campaign in which every member of the senior class wrote elementary school children encouraging these youths to achieve academic excellence.

6. The Key Club • I have been an active member of the Hendersonville High School Key Club since the beginning of my freshman year. • On a monthly basis, I register several service hours which ultimately enriches my community. • Throughout my time with the Key Club, I have participated in many avenues of service including volunteering at 8k runs, working at concession stands, playing with children during foster parent meetings, and setting up for multiple school related events such as the social science department’s annual symposium.

7. Greek Orthodox Youth Association • The Greek Orthodox Youth Association (GOYA) is an organization that fosters among Greek-American Youth an appreciation for Hellenic traditions. • Along with uniting Greek Orthodox teenagers, GOYA works with other church organizations to benefit the parish. • Much of the work GOYA does includes hosting luncheons and Greek Festivals to raise money for the parish community and the less fortunate.

8. National Honor Society • The National Honor Society is a select group of academically motivated students who contribute time and energy into helping those in need. • Every morning that I am not consumed by prior obligations, I sit and assist any individual who has questions within my intellectual capacity.

9. A Passion for Politics • Over the past few years, I have developed a true appreciation for the American political system. • When not devoting my time to school work, I spend a significant amount of time reading the works of acclaimed political writers such as Thomas Sowell and Ayn Rand. • In furthering my knowledge of politics, I participated in the North Carolina Governor’s School and founded a debate club at my high school. • This year, I have also secured a position on the Hendersonville Mock Trial Team and look forward to logically dissecting a criminal case with the scalpel of reason. A Collection of my Favorite Political Writings including Atlas Shrugged, Basic Economics, and A Time to Fight

10. North Carolina Governor’s School • Governor’s School was a truly eye opening experience that fueled my love for political debate. • Each day, I would sit down with teenagers from all areas of North Carolina and discuss current events and controversial issues. • At the end of the six week term, my peers voted me “Most Likely to Run for President of the United States”- an honor that indicates my enthusiasm for political diatribe.

11. Debate Club • After returning from the summer holiday, I worked with a fellow student in establishing a debate club at Hendersonville High School. • Since its creation, the debate club has served as a forum in which students can express their political views while strengthening their convictions through constructive argument. A discussion on the presidential debates

12. Other Extracurricular Activities, Leadership Roles, and Accomplishments • Cross Country, Indoor Track, Outdoor Track, Wrestling: • Academic All-Conference • Health Occupations Students of America: • President, Vice President • 2-Time Regional HOSA Bowl Champion • HOSA Bowl State Finalist • French Club: • Vice President, Treasurer • Music Appreciation Club: • Vice President, Treasurer • Ultimate Frisbee Club • Altar Boy Captain • Junior Marshall • Participant in 2007 Summer Ventures in Math and Science • Participant in 2008 North Carolina Governor’s School

13. The Importance • I would hope my dedication to service coupled with a desire to increase my knowledge on the American political process would qualify me as a prime candidate for this scholarship. • If I were to earn this honor, I would share and utilize my experiences in such a manner that other individuals would be inspired to complete feats on an even greater scale.