Name, age, grade, city of residenceLouis Marshall, 17, Grade 12, Corralitos
What inspires you?
I am inspired by people who bring creativity, passion and curiosity into every aspect of their life and who work tirelessly to achieve their dreams. I look to a lot of musicians for inspiration and as idols, including Van Morrison and Ray Charles, who went blind as a child and persevered to pioneer soul music.
What is your favorite subject in school, and why?
English, because I love learning about language and how to articulate and express my thoughts and feelings on a deeper level.
If you had the power to change one thing in the world, what would it be?
This might sound clich’d, but I really believe that community-oriented, improved and universalized education would benefit the world the most. People would have the knowledge they need to form broad, unbiased perspectives about the world and make empowered decisions. Having more deeply educated and curious people worldwide would inherently help solve all of the issues we are facing today. To quote lawyer and former Harvard University President Derek Bok, ‘If you think education is 
expensive, try ignorance.’
expensive, try ignorance.’If you could go anywhere, where would you go?
Someone asked me this once when I was younger, and I remember asking them instantly, ‘Why not everywhere’ My answer would still be the same, I want to backpack, have adventures, and travel the world.
Name one big challenge in your life right now:
Balancing homework with my extracurricular life.
What is your dream job?
Pretty much anything that helps people in a direct and personal way. Being the founder of a national nonprofit would also be cool, as long as I can still help in a more grounded way where I can be involved first-hand.
What are your three favorite things?
I enjoy music, hiking and spending time with friends and loved ones.
Favorite book: Although not one book, the Bartimaeus trilogy by Jonathan Stroud is my favorite series.
What do you want to do after high school?
Well, this is one question I haven’t heard before. After high school I would like to do some kind of semester-at-sea type program or even a gap year. After that I would like to attend school and major in something that would introduce me to the wide spectrum of physical therapy degrees
Something that makes you smile:
Music, Clash of Clans and volleyball.
A favorite MMS memory – and why?
Aside from travelling to South Africa, I remember going on the fifth grade backpacking trip with Sri Gyan [McCaughan] and my class. While we probably only hiked a couple of miles, it seemed like forever. I remember trying to spear fish with a stick and losing my hat to the river. Good times.
Top three most played songs on your iTunes or iPod:
The Less I Know The Better by Tame Impala Into The Mystic by Van Morrison
Heaven’s On Fire by The Radio Dept.
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Contact: Leigh Ann Clifton, Director of Marketing & Communications, Nestled among the redwoods on 355 acres, Mount Madonna School (MMS) is a community of learners dedicated to creative, intellectual, and ethical growth. MMS supports its students in becoming caring, self-aware, discerning and articulate individuals; and believe a fulfilling life includes personal accomplishments, meaningful relationships and service to society. The CAIS and WASC accredited program emphasizes academic excellence, creative self-expression and positive character development. Located on Summit Road between Gilroy and Watsonville.