SHERIDAN – Academics for All announced Aidan Moran as the winner of this week’s Summit Award.
Moran, son of Kevin and Kelly Moran, is best described as an aspiring student and athlete. His goal of earning an aerospace engineering degree has led him to pursue a rigorous schedule of AP courses in math, science, and computer science while maintaining a 4.0 grade point average.
To further pursue his career goal, Moran volunteered with the Department of Veterans Affairs in the Facility/Engineering Division in the summer of 2022 and is also a Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Due to his academic excellence, Moran is a National Merit semi-finalist who is currently struggling to become a National Merit finalist.
In addition to success in the classroom, Moran has competed in cross-country, indoor track and outdoor track and field events, earning state and national recognition.
Art Baures, social studies teacher and coach at SHS, describes Moran as the kind of student athlete who makes him proud to be an educator.
“His respectful demeanor, intelligence, consideration and appreciation for everyone he is associated with is unparalleled,” said Baures. “It is one thing to have all your intellectual gifts, but his humility and ability to apply your knowledge in a way that benefits his own learning and that of others is simply amazing. My life has been enriched by my association with him and I am honored to have coached and taught him in the classroom. I will follow him with great anticipation after high school because I know he will live his life with purpose and passion for himself and others in his life.”
Another mentor of Moran’s is Isaac Van Dyke, math teacher and coach at SHS.
“Moran is an exceptional young man,” said Moran. “He does all the little things right and doesn’t need the spotlight on himself. He goes to work and does not seek recognition for his hard and excellent work inside and outside of the classroom. He always leads by example in practice and in the classroom, doing what is asked of him and more. Aside from being a top notch student, Moran is above all an amazing person. He’s the last person off the bus as he’s always cleaning or helping me put the gear away. He says thank you after every lesson and every exercise. He will do amazing things in the future and make a positive, lasting impact everywhere he goes.”
Moran looks to his sister Kate as his mentor and his academic and athletic role model. He cites them as his reason for participating in cross-country.
“Running endless miles has little appeal at first, but now I wake up at 5am without a second thought to run and enjoy the fresh morning air,” Moran said.
Moran is currently unsure which college he will attend to pursue his goal of becoming an aerospace engineer.
“I work hard,” Moran said when asked about his strengths. “I set and achieve goals. I want to be a good student, a good athlete and a good person.”
He then thanked me kindly for the interview and for receiving the Summit Award.
