Spencer Loper - Shiloh Christian School - Springdale

Spencer Loper, a student at Shiloh Christian School in Springdale, has been nominated to be an Academic All-Star by college/career counselor, Debbie Diehm. “Spencer has the highest ACT score in his class (35) and will graduate as an iThink Scholar – a select group that takes all college classes the junior and senior years,” noted Diehm. “He has been chosen as a University of Arkansas Honors College Fellow and will speak at graduation, as he also has the highest GPA.” Spencer has a weighted GPA of 4.27. He has applied to University of Arkansas, Georgia Institute of Technology, and MIT. He plans on attending University of Arkansas with a major in Engineering and Mathematics.

Spencer has taken extensive advanced coursework including AP World History, AP U.S. History, College American Government, College Physics I, College Physics II, College Chemistry I, College Algebra, College Trigonometry, AP Calculus BC, Multivariable Calculus, College Composition I, College Composition II, College World Literature I, College World Literature II, and College Public Speaking.

Spencer has won many awards and honors including Arkansas Honors College Fellow (12), iThink Scholar (took all college courses offered), highest average grade in AP Calculus BC (11), Varsity Football Academic Award (9, 10), and highest average grade College Composition I and II (11). In addition to these honors, Spencer has actively served his school and community including Fellowship Bible Church small group leader, “Stirn” student intern at Fellowship Bible Church, Varsity football (9, 10), Varsity golf — two state championships (11, 12), and being a self-employed tutor.

“As far as I can remember, I have had a hunger for knowledge,” acknowledged Spencer. “In pre-school and elementary school I would always bug my older brother about what he was learning and question my mom with any curiosities I had.” This curiosity paid off in middle school for Spencer — from sixth to seventh grade, he was able to skip two grades in math.

Spencer has been fortunate to travel to Memphis, Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, and Ecuador on various mission trips. “One thing that really struck me this last trip to Ecuador was how much I had taken for granted the educational opportunities I have,” stated Spencer. “From these experiences, I have realized how fortunate I am to even have the opportunity of education, and, therefore, I want to do the best I possibly can.”