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Tuesday, October 24, 2000
Jessica Foust gladly lets little children lead her
Gregory-Portland senior especially likes math and science, is thinking of becoming a pediatrician
By Dan Parker
Caller-Times
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| George Tuley/Caller-Times |
| Gregory-Portland senior Jessica Foust is taking Richard Eleazer’s advanced placement calculus class. She has won awards in math and science. |
Jessica Foust has learned a lot from her family and teachers. But she said she has learned some of her best lessons from the young children she teaches in Bible studies at church.
"Just the way to live life - to be honest and sincere, to learn from other people, to rely on other people," said Jessica, 18, a senior at Gregory-Portland High School.
When Jessica gets older, she might repay children the favor. She's thinking about becoming a pediatrician.
"I really like working with little kids," Jessica said. "The idea of being able to help them sounds good to me. And I like science too. Biology is interesting - all the intricate parts, the way they work."
Already, Jessica is doing groundwork that would help her become a good pediatrician.
This Caller-Times South Texas Distinguished Scholar in general academics is ranked first in her class of 273 and has a 97.952 grade average or 104.795 with honors classes factored in.
She has won awards in high school math and science competitions and serves as president of a local Medical Explorers group - a scouting organization for youths interested in medicine. She also teaches Bible classes to children at Gateway Church of Christ in Gregory.
"She is extremely bright," said Bill Yowell, a Gregory-Portland High School teacher who taught Jessica in an advanced-placement U.S. history course. "And she's articulate. Very conscientious as a student. Just a wonderful young person."
Math is her strongest subject.
"It's just the way I think and the way I compute things, the way I figure out problems," Jessica said. "It's just easier to me if it has a structure and a reason for things happening. I don't have to just memorize facts. Like, in history, you just have to memorize facts. There's not a set pattern. But in math, there's a set pattern."
Jessica said she developed a good work ethic largely because of the example set by her parents, Charles and Rita Foust.
"They're both teachers, so education is important to them," Jessica said. "But they don't expect high grades. They just expect you to do your best."
Charles Foust said he and his wife have tried to reward Jessica for good work, and that has helped make her an outstanding student.
"We don't pay her for grades," he said. "Mostly, it's compliments. Going to everything. You go to every PTA meeting and every soccer game when she played. And she's in band, so we've gone to every band concert she's ever had. We encourage her."
Staff writer Dan Parker can be reached at _886-3746 or by e-mail at parkerd@caller.com
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