For many years now, Edward Tischler (12) has had a passion for two things: tennis and chemistry.

Edward began playing tennis in the summer of sixth grade and was instantly hooked. He had previously liked playing soccer but loved the strategy involved in tennis.

“I’ve played soccer for the longest time since I was three years old, but then I was exposed to tennis just by coincidence. I enjoyed the technical aspects of hitting the ball a certain way to manipulate it,” Edward said. “I think the strategy is my favorite part of it.”

If Edward was to name one object he possess that has significant meaning to him, Edward said it would most likely be his one of a kind tennis ball he keeps in his bedroom.

“There is this tennis ball that I got at a national tournament that I went to in freshman year because that symbolizes the team that I was a part of and our accomplishments,” Edward said. “It is a really unique ball to because it has some autographs and logos about the actual tournament, so I never play with it, I just have it.”

Over the years, Edward believes he had learned and grown tremendously from playing tennis. For example, from his coach, he learned how to better focus and prepare himself for an important event such as a tennis match.

“One of the most important lessons my coach has ever taught me is how to open your tennis book and close all other books to only focus on tennis at the moment,” Edward said. “When I do that, it is so easy to only focus on what I’m doing on the court, and the more I do that, the more easily it comes.”

Edward’s second passion is for chemistry. Every since he was a child, Edward’s father has been mentoring him in chemistry, teaching him interesting facts and combinations. This was the driving force that allows for Edward’s current love of chemistry.

“My dad also likes chemistry so when I was really little, he would teach me, and that was my first exposure to chemistry,” he said. “I’ve loved every chemistry course I’ve taken ever since.”

Edward even plans on putting to use his chemistry knowledge not just in college, but beyond as his future profession.

“I am really excited to go to college, do some thing I really like to do, and study a subject I’ve loved for a really long time to achieve my goal of being chemist or some kind of chemistry researcher, “he said.
“I think success is where you go so far into something you’re passionate about that you are doing almost too much or way beyond what is necessary. At the end of the day, it is not about what other people think about you, it is not about external motivations, it is just about what you want to get out of it, so I think reaching that point is success.”