Prospect High School Students Named Top Innovators In Illinois

This month two Prospect High School students were named some of the top innovative high school students in the state by a University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign sponsored program.

Keaton Keller and Timothy McDermott, both seniors, are two of 20 students honored by the Celebrating High School Innovators program for implementing innovative ideas in their communities.

Keller, 17, created a YouTube channel based on technology with the goal of educating all consumers on their next technology purchase.

"This matters because digital video is the next big thing and allows any generation to tune in, be entertained and learn something new," Keller said.

McDermott, 17, has played a major role in growing the school newspaper's website, prospectornow.com, over the last three years, with a goal of better connecting the community to the school.

"Even as a freshman applying for a position on the paper, I could see the huge potential with the online publication and wanted to be the one who helped it grow," McDermott said. "It is important because it serves as recognition for students and to keep students, family and community members in the loop about all things going on at Prospect 24/7."

As part of the honor, Keller and McDermott have been invited to attend a two-day Innovation Celebration in May and will each receive an award of $500 to be used to fund a positive impact project in their community.

The Celebrating High School Innovators program is endorsed by several Illinois teachers associations, the regional superintendents of schools and the Governor's office.

Part of the program's mission is to look at ways to include innovation and creative problem solving in the state curriculum, and to recognize innovative students in the state of Illinois, regardless of their GPA or test scores.