In this magnet student spotlight, we are highlighting New Century Technology senior Hannah Gardner, who is noted as an exceptional student known for her dedication, leadership, and well-rounded involvement both in and beyond the classroom.
Hannah is president of Science Olympiad, secretary for HOSA, a member of the National Honor Society, Beta Club, Rho Kappa, Cap & Gown, serves proudly as a Magnet Ambassador, and is also a member of the ACT 30+ club. During her freshman year, she won first place in a Science Olympiad Disease Detectives event, and that same year her entry to the HOSA Health Career Photography contest qualified her to go to the state conference. She went on to help her sophomore team win first place in the HOSA Bowl.
Additionally, Hannah plays basketball for Huntsville High School in the positions of shooting guard, small forward, and occasionally point guard. This year, she was also the team captain which, according to her, “helped me grow in my leadership abilities and just speaking up and holding people accountable, but also telling people what they’re good at, lifting them up, encouraging them.” She says that being able to be involved in athletics while attending a magnet program has helped her learn to hold herself to higher standards and manage her time better, while also reinforcing personal accountability and helping her to be more well-rounded overall.
Dr. Julie Johnson, a teacher at New Century Technology says that Hannah “strives to excel in everything she does, whether it’s sports, or medical knowledge, or writing.” She adds that whenever Hannah is given a task, even one she sets for herself, she goes above and beyond because she truly wants to understand it and truly has a thirst for knowledge.
As an example of that thirst for knowledge, Hannah took a neuroscience class during her junior year in which she became fascinated with the idea of neuroplasticity, or how the brain adapts due to learning, experience, or injury. This led to Hannah conducting a research study investigating whether this flexibility could be intentionally leveraged to ease feelings of insecurity and train the mind to become more confident. “I think research is all about what it can do for other people – that’s how I view it,” she says.
Dr. Johnson mentions that while New Century does much to incorporate STEM and the arts (STEAM), they also believe that by teaching students research methods like inquiry, critical thinking, pushing back on assumptions, and asking deep questions, their students will graduate to be more competitive professionally but also be more well-rounded individuals overall.
Hannah says, “I think being here has allowed me to experience things that I wouldn’t get in other places. I have a patient care technician certification, I’m CPR certified, and I think it would be harder to get those things without a magnet program,” She adds that even beyond the three available strands and all the clubs and activities at the school, the fact that it draws in students from across the city presents new opportunities to experience different backgrounds and make new friends. She says no matter what you’re interested in, somebody else there probably is as well.
In Hannah’s words, “There’s always something for everybody at New Century,”
Learn more about the program on the New Century Magnet Program site.