Andrew Cook’s accomplishments result of Oakwood environment

For Oakwood High School’s Andrew Cook, becoming one of the school’s two valedictorians was a team effort.

“I’m proud of all of us, not just myself, Katelyn (Blankenship, salutatorian) and Kylie (Neuman, valedictorian), I think the effort really speaks to the ambition of my class as a whole,” he said.

“Ever since our class walked in our freshman year, we’ve been competing for these positions. There were lots of nights spent encouraging friends and mourning when somebody dropped off of the perfect GPA train.”

Graduating with a 4.0 GPA was something Cook had his sights set on as a freshman.

The accomplishment was realized through both arbitrary goals, like writing an essay he was proud to turn in for English class, to earning recognition as an Illinois State Scholar.

Cook said his drive came from his parents.

“Both of them contributed in their own ways to establishing me a strong educational base in my early childhood as well as piquing my curiosity about the world as I grew up,” he said. “It’s humbling to know that I come from such a supportive background on top of my other privileges.”

Growing up in a high school with around 300 students, Cook knows that the relationships built between students and teachers carries more than a grade on a paper.

“There was the constant love and help coming from my parents, sister, and friends, but the contributions from my teachers were perhaps the most impactful,” he said.

“The environment at Oakwood was so incredibly supportive.” he said.

“I remember writing one of my teachers an email explaining that I was having a bad mental health night and couldn’t complete an assignment. (I got)  an immediate, caring response.

“My teachers donated so much time to project, extracurricular activities, and just being available in general, and for that I am profoundly grateful.”

Cook’s four years at Oakwood included time as the OHS student council secretary, National Honor Society secretary, co-captain of the Scholastic Bowl team, OHS band section leader, copy editor for the Oakwood Times, an actor in the drama department and member of the WYSE (Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering) team. He also organized a fundraiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society as well as the school’s Mental Health Awareness Week.

Along with being chosen as an Illinois State Scholar, Cook was a state-qualifier in the IHSA Journalism competition and selected as EIU’s Phi Beta Kappa Young Scholar.

“High school taught me how to be involved, and along with it how to manage my time,” he said. “When I was having fun in my activities, I was contributing to our school’s culture and reputation, which brought me pride.”

Pride is something Oakwood is built on.

“Oakwood’s tagline of “generations of pride” is no joke,” he said.

“Growing up in the district, I took the attitudes of those around me for granted. Only as I’ve grown up have I realized that the citizens of Oakwood truly do hard and good work to make a supportive environment for the youths.

“We grew up surrounded by parades, parties, community events, dances, activities organized by parent committees, and with booming pep assemblies.

“From our births here, we are brought up to interact with one another and to care for and contribute in our community. In this regard, Oakwood is special. Its size does nothing to limit how large its heart is.”

Cook said that is something he will take with him as he attends the University of Illinois at Chicago.

He will major in mathematics in hopes of becoming an actuary after graduation. Cook already has his sights set on returning to graduate school at some point in his life to pursue a doctorate degree that will allow him to become a college professor.

“You have to care about something to be successful,” he said. “Wherever you invest your passion in energy, whether it’s in yourself, a hobby, or your community, that is where you will see your results. It’s also the place where you will have the most impact.”