Whiz Kid: Bobby Buddig

Name: Bobby Buddig

Age: 18

Grade: Class of 2012

School: Hinsdale Central High School

Accomplishment: Buddig's first three years of high school were filled with a wide variety of extracurriculars. He is a member of the principal's advisory, a group that meets monthly to discuss the principal's new ideas for Central's students and teachers. He also participates in the 24-Hour Relay (an annual joint event with ,) Dollars for Devils (a club that raises funds for students who need help paying for books and other expenses,)the Conflict Resolution Team, Breaking Down the Walls, Teachers in Need, and J. Kyle Braid. After being a Student Council senator for three years, Buddig was elected president for the 2011-2012 school year. 

Key to Awesomeness: Buddig's experience with JKB has prepared him to lead the Hinsdale Central student body in the coming year. J. Kyle Braid, a foundation that takes high school sophomores to the JKB Ranch in Colorado to teach them leadership skills, has a highly selective application process. About 100 students at Hinsdale Central were considered the year Buddig applied.

"I didn't think I had much of a chance," Buddig said. "I was shocked to find out that I made it through the resume process."

Buddig was eventually selected to join JKB and calls his experience at the ranch "life-changing." "It was one of the most meaningful weeks of my life," he said. "It shaped me as a person and a leader. I use everything I learned at the ranch in my daily life."

Buddig credits JKB with his success in student government. "[JKB] helped me step up with Student Council," he said. "I want to be that figurehead that kids can go to. JKB's message of no drinking, no drugs, really helped me throughout high school."

Buddig says he enjoys the opportunity he's been given to help his classmates. "I've had a couple kids come up to me and say, 'I've gotten into trouble but I want to change my ways. Will you help me?'"

What’s Next: Buddig looks forward to starting his senior year at the end of August. "I'm looking forward to getting the school year rolling," he said.

Buddig and the senior class board have just decided to make the school year's theme "Let's Get it Started," which he hopes will encourage other students to participate in everything Hinsdale Central has to offer.

"Hinsdale Central is one of the best schools, and I want to make it an amazing year for everyone," he said. "There are over 100 clubs [offered at Central], so there's something there for everyone." 

Buddig is also looking forward to college, where he hopes to major in business. He is still narrowing down his list of nearly a dozen schools, and said "it's pretty wide open right now." He hopes to continue to use the skills he's learned at Hinsdale Central in his undergraduate career.

"Hinsdale Central has made me the person I am today," he said. "I want to give back to the school and make more leaders."