Meet Nazareth's "Whiz Kid" David Yerger

"Whiz Kid" Facts:

• Name: David Yerger
• School: 2011 graduate of 
• School Activities: Played the tenor and baritone saxophone in the Blue Eagle Marching Band, concert band, jazz band, wind ensemble and pit orchestra. David was also the drum major of the high school's marching band during his senior year.
• Community Activities: David is a member of the Nazareth Community Band.
• Church Activities: A member of the , David plays the alto saxophone in the church's orchestra and plays the bells in the church's bell choir.
• Hobbies: David plays the recorder, which is a fipple-winded woodwind instrument, and also likes to fish and ski.

"Whiz Kid" Accomplishments:

• Played baritone saxophone at district and region band during his junior and senior years.
• Received the "Semper Fidelis Award" for musical excellence through the Marine Corps High School Awards Program.
• Finishing third in his class, David was named the NAHS Class of 2011 Honor Graduate.
• National Honor Society
• Member of the NAHS Science Olympiad team.
• Pennsylvania Math League
• Recipient of Jeff Trach Memorial Scholarship, which is awarded to a graduating NAHS marching band member. 

"Whiz Kid" Key to Awesomeness:

When the Blue Eagle Marching Band regained first place in Group IV at the 2010  in Annapolis, Md., David Yerger was on the podium leading his fellow bandmates -- he was  drum major.

According to David, “being the drum major my senior year” is his fondest memory of high school.

David was a member when the band took first place in USSBA competition two years in a row when he was a freshman and a sophomore, but in 2009, his junior year, the band faltered slightly and came in third place, Yerger said.

“The whole senior year marching band season made me realize what a wonderful young man David has become," said Kathy Yerger, David’s mother. "I think when the band placed first at nationals and Mr. Brad Boandl, [the band director], came out on the field and gave Dave a hug, that was probably my fondest memory.”

At that moment, Kathy knew that everything David, his bandmates and the staff had worked so hard for had been accomplished.

Kathy added that she values the time David spent with his music teachers in middle school, but, more specifically, the time he spent with Boandl and his son, Brad.

“I cannot say enough about the music program at Nazareth,” the boy's mother said. “The time that Dave has spent with the Boandls has been priceless to him. Not only the lessons he has learned about music, but life lessons as well. They are both special people and I am very happy that Dave had the chance to have them in his life.”

David listed concert band as one of his favorite classes, and enjoyed playing the saxophone; however, his advanced placement chemistry class is just one of the reasons why David decided to move on to  and major in chemistry.

“Chemistry is a fascinating subject and was my inspiration to pursue a career in chemistry," David said. "I am very excited to learn chemistry more in-depth [while in college].”

Among his other class favorites were calculus, psychology and biology -- all advanced placement.

David was fifth in his class during his freshman year, but climbed two positions to finish his high school career as the "Honor Graduate," which is the title given to the student who ranks third in the class.

According to Kathy, she and her husband didn’t enforce any special rules when it came to academics, but they did emphasize that school is a primary focus.

“We would tell him that just like we go to work every day, [school is the same way for him],” she said. “David never needed to be reminded to work on school work. He wanted to be successful.”

David said his teachers were always accessible and willing to give him guidance if needed, and his mother agreed.

“I believe that for a student to be successful, it needs to be a team effort -- student, parent, teachers,” Kathy added.

Come August, David will head to college and plans to live on campus. Although he is excited about meeting new people and expects to visit home often, he says he will miss his high school friends and teachers.

“His dad and I are very proud of his accomplishments," Kathy said. "Dave has always worked very hard at everything. I hope that he will be successful in whatever endeavor he works for, but most of all, I hope he is happy.”