Jake Haygood has been at MPCS for six amazing years. His parents note, “MPCS has always invested in Jake as a whole person. Teachers have poured time, effort, and love into him both academically and spiritually and have made real lasting connections with him on a personal level.” Jake reiterates this by listing favorite teachers from middle school through high school since he could not narrow his choices. He states that many teachers have made a substantial impact on both his academic foundation and his success outside the classroom, and he offers sincere appreciation to Mrs. Terry, Mrs. Bailey, Dr. Stephens, Mrs. Gassmann, and Mrs. Wood as people who are “truly amazing and have cheered me on every step of the way.” Along with relishing rigorous courses, Jake notes that he has treasured memories of the High School Retreat during his senior year and that MPCS has “provided an environment where I can grow personally and academically.”
Those who know Jake are aware of his passion for computer science and concern for medical advances. He has already made great strides into his future as co-founder of Haygood & Woods Co., LLC. He and his business partner, fellow Spotlight Senior Hampton Woods, won the popular vote at the Pediatrics 2040 medical conference for their “device prototype that passively stores pertinent medical information” and have since presented to medical professionals at multiple conferences and events. In addition, Jake keeps very busy with similar endeavors such as youth council member and co-tech chair for International Children's Advisory Network, technology chair and executive board member with K.I.D.S Georgia, public speaker at the FDA Patient Engagement Patient Engagement Advisory Committee, and presenter for AAP Family Partnership Network Webinar showcase of youth innovators. As if all this weren’t enough, he also assists in the development of a non-invasive rapid anemia diagnosis application at Georgia Tech Lam Lab.
So far Jake has been accepted at Georgia Tech as a computer engineering major as well as computer science major at UT Austin’s College of Natural Sciences, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, NC State, UNC, and the University of Michigan in this discipline. He has decided to attend the Georgia Institute of Technology. He will continue to build upon his “experience as a patient and involvement in children’s medical advocacy. He explains, “Currently, I am studying artificial intelligence and believe that this field has profound implications for the future of medicine. I will leverage my career and bridge my interests to develop innovative solutions that revolutionize the way we approach patient care.” There is no doubt that God has amazing plans for this brilliant young man and many will benefit from the gifts nurtured in him at MPCS.
