Prize Recipient

Aaron Sampson

Background:

My name is Aaron Sampson and I was born in Norman, Oklahoma and lived there until I was eight. I am a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, and my family also has ties to the Chickasaw tribe. In 1996, I moved to Rice Lake, Wisconsin, where I have lived ever since. I have always loved science; when I was much younger I wanted to become a paleontologist, and later, an astronomer. I eventually settled on physics after reading about it and taking classes on the subject throughout high school. Even though I am interested in numerous fields, I feel that physics is the most fundamental, and the one I truly want to learn about. I have studied Tae-Kwon-Do for nine years and have now earned the rank of first dan black belt. In June of 2006 I graduated from Rice Lake High School. I am now a sophomore at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Im looking forward to continuing my study of physics at MIT this year and eventually working in the field and trying to contribute to the advancement of the science.