Vanessa Salinas - Haas Hall Academy

Vanessa Salinas, a student at Haas Hall Academy, has been nominated to be an Academic All-Star by Founder and Superintendent Dr. Martin W. Schoppmeyer Jr. “Vanessa Salinas is an exemplary scholar, athlete, leader, and responsible community service advocate,” noted Dr. Schoppmeyer Jr. “Vanessa continues to choose the challenging route by thriving in an accelerated academic institution focusing on science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics.” Some of the advanced coursework Vanessa has studied includes AP Spanish, AP Statistics, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus CB, AP Language and Composition, AP Chemistry, AP Literature and Composition, AP Computer Science A, AP Seminar, and AP Biology.

“Vanessa is one of the top academicians in the history of Haas Hall Academy, an academic institution poised with an aggressive, highly rigorous, extremely competitive, college-preparatory curriculum,” added Dr. Schoppmeyer Jr. This is observed in Vanessa’s 4.2787 weighted GPA, ACT score of 34, as well as her SAT score of 1450. She has applied to Rice University, Washington University in St. Louis, Vanderbilt University, University of Notre Dame, Harvard College, and University of Arkansas. Vanessa plans on attending Rice University with a major in Bioengineering.

In addition to academics, Vanessa has also had a considerable amount of community and school involvement including tennis (Single State Champion — 2017, Singles State Runner-Up — 2015, 2016, and Doubles State Runner-Up — 2014), swimming (State Championship Team — 2016, 2017, 2018, and record holder in two state relays — 2018), Mercy VolunTeen, Society of St. Vincent de Paul Friends of the Poor Walk and Toy Giveaway, and Pre-Algebra and Algebra I tutoring.

Vanessa has won several honors and awards including AP Scholar with Distinction (2017-18), Haas Hall Academy Academic Excellence Award (2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-17), Northwest Arkansas Regional Science and Engineering Fair Physics and Astronomy Senior Division (second place, 2015), as well as being a National Hispanic Scholar (2016-17).

“One attribute that sets me apart is commitment,” stated Vanessa. “From a young age, I have demonstrated commitment in different areas, putting the maximum effort into everything that I do. First and foremost, I have put a strong emphasis on my academics. I enjoy taking rigorous courses and learning new material.” Vanessa has also committed her time to working with students on a volunteer basis in the area of mathematics, community service, and athletics.

“Lastly, I have been committed to discovering more about my culture,” added Vanessa. “The daughter of Nicaraguan immigrants, I was raised to speak both Spanish and English, learning about the traditions and beliefs of my family, which I am always seeking to learn more about. I have always been fueled by my commitment to these activities, and I look forward to continuing this in college and wherever my life goes beyond.”