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Some won't wander too far off, attending and making names for themselves at Kansas' excellent state colleges and universities.

Others will move thousands of miles away to introduce others across the nation to the hard-working characterand authentic essence of what it means to be a Kansan.

Each of these high school seniors will carry themselves well, though, and they start these next phases in their lives knowing they have the support of proud schools and communities that raised them.

The following students are members of The Topeka Capital-Journal's All-City Academic Team.

*Denotes student was also selected to the Gannett Kansas 2021 All-State Academic Team.

School:Topeka High School

Parents/guardians:David and Dalia Bell

Plans after graduation:Applied economics management at Cornell University (New York)

Ideal career:Economist

Student comments: "My past actions through (Topeka High) Interact are a reminder of what I will continue to strive for in my educational venture. I will draw on my experiences as a first-generation, low-income student to find solutions to this economic inequality that my community has felt. Through my unique story, I will strive to include the voices of the less fortunate in our conversations but also be mindful of my peers' engagements with this cycle."

School:Highland Park High School

Parents/guardians:Chantel Emerson, of Topeka, and David Westbrooks (Indiana)

Plans after graduation:Psychology at Spelman College (Georgia)

Ideal career:Behavioral scientist

Student comments: "By becoming a behavioral scientist, I will advocate for myself and other people like me who battle mental illness. I want to lift the stigma and shame associated with admitting that help is needed, and I want people to know where to find resources. By furthering my education, I willinteract with people and shed light on how important mental illness should be to them."

School:Seaman High School

Parents/guardians:Jackie and Brian Fox, both of Topeka

Plans after graduation:Biochemistry/pre-dental at the University of Kentucky

Ideal career:Orthodontist

Student comments: "COVID-19 was not the first nor the last hardship that individuals in our generation will face. Every day, individuals are impacted by a multitude of factors that make the quality of their life less than desirable. In the future, through my practice and community outreach, I plan to truly provide a place and an opportunity for individuals around me to find happiness and to enjoy life, regardless of their situation. Happiness should not be a luxury, but rather a right for every human being."

School:Silver Lake Jr./Sr. High School

Parents/guardians:Doug and Michele Gerber, Silver Lake

Plans after graduation:Integrated physiology at Kansas State University

Ideal career:Physician's assistant

Student comments: "If the pandemic has demonstrated anything, it has shown us that healthcare workers are the backbone of society. They work through impossible standards everyday in order to ensure strangers find health and happiness. I am beyond fortunate to have the ability to pursue a degree that will eventually place me in the healthcare field, and I am thrilled to begin this selfless work."

School:Washburn Rural High School

Parents/guardians:Ryan and Ifi Norsworthy, of Topeka

Plans after graduation:Computer science/political science at Yale University (Connecticut)

Ideal career:Software developer

Student comments: "In my eyes, the pandemic has exposed a lot of the ways in which we leave a lot of people behind in our society. As we move into a more comprehensive recovery stage from the pandemic, I want to get out into local communities and help these forgotten peoples. I want to listen to their stories and find out how we, as a society, can better serve them."

School:Hope Street Academy

Parents/guardians:Rhea Smith, of Topeka, and Brian Smith (Meridan)

Plans after graduation:To-be-determined major at Kansas City Kansas Community College

Ideal career:Still deciding

School comments: "Brianna has had to overcome many outside influences and obstacles during her years in high school. During all of that grades always remained important to her. She is continually on honor roll, works many hours a week at her job, and is always a joy for any teacher who has her in class."

School:Topeka West High School

Parents/guardians:Evelyn and Richard Tradio, of Topeka

Plans after graduation:Forensic chemistry at Washburn University

Ideal career:Forensic chemist/technician

Student comments: "I hope to break out of my shell a little bit as opportunities arise, and I hope to immerse myself with positive, inspiring people who will help me through college and teach me valuable life lessons. These are only a few of my goals and opportunities I see in making just the slightest mark in the world, and if I follow through with my ambitions and goals, maybe someone else's life will benefit in the process and that would be enough for me."

School:Shawnee Heights High School

Parents/guardians:Steve and Tina Weinzirl, of Topeka

Plans after graduation:Chemistry at the University of Kansas

Ideal career:Biochemical engineer

Student comments: "My main goal in life is to see the success of those around me. I aim to use my education as an opportunity to better myself and to learn skills that can be applied to the real world in order to see beneficial changes within the lives of my friends, family, and the whole world. Out of the problems that I want to solve, combating climate change will require the most effort and is held as the most important issue to me."

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The graduating seniors of The Capital-Journal's All-City Academic Team will make Topeka proud - The Topeka Capital-Journal