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Meet Nazareth's "Whiz Kid" Michael Burns

Michael Burns had a 3 percent chance of making it into this world. He beat the odds and has been living his life to the fullest since 1993.

"Whiz Kid" Facts:

  • Name: Michael Burns
  • School: 2011 graduate of 
  • Church: 

School Activities:

  • Burns was a member of NAHS's Scholastic Scrimmage team, and was also a member of the Science Olympiad team his junior and senior years.
  • Ultimate Frisbee Club

Sports:

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  • Taekwondo – Burns earned the rank of 3rd dan black belt from U.S. Family Martial Arts in Phillipsburg, N.J.
  • Burns is a member of the International Defensive Pistol Association, and is the third-ranked sharpshooter in the association.

Accomplishments/Honors:

  • Future Business Leaders of America
  • National Honor Society and High Honor roll
  • Burns was one of the top 10 students in his class throughout high school, and he was ranked sixth in his class when he graduated.
  • Burns participated in the Lehigh University High School Scholars Program. While in the program, Burns studied Chinese civilization and biology/human reproduction. He earned a 4.0 in both classes.
  • He was named a "commended student" after participating in the National Merit Scholarship Program, an academic competition for recognition and scholarships.

"Whiz Kid" Key to Awesomeness:

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Statistically, the very existence of Michael Burns is a miracle.

Fertility doctors told Marilyn Burns that there was a chance -- a 3 percent chance -- that she would be able to conceive a baby through in vitro fertilization (IVF), and carry the baby to live birth.

Marilyn had already been through nine years of fertility treatments and had suffered two miscarriages. The doctors also cited Marilyn's age -- she was 45 at the time -- for the slim chance.

Marilyn and Michael proved the skeptics wrong.

Michael arrived into the world in 1993, even if he was six weeks early. Despite being a preemie, Michael suffered no ill effects and was sent home after spending just two days in the hospital.

“Every day I think about how lucky I am to be here on this earth,” Michael wrote in a college admissions essay. “Without technology, luck would not have been enough.”  

Out of four implanted embryos, only Michael's embryo survived.

“The fact that he is here is a miracle in and of itself,” Marilyn said.

When Michael was born, he was one of 25,000 IVF babies in the world. Today, there are about 4 million people who were conceived through IVF, he said.

“I feel honored to be alive, and I want to make the most of the life that I was given,” Michael continued in his essay. “I do not want to forget the fact that my birth defied the odds. I do not want to take it for granted, and that is why I want to push myself to achieve my loftiest goals.”

Before graduating sixth in his class, Michael had already attained several of his goals. He was recognized as a "commended student" by the National Merit Scholarship Program, and was ranked in the top 10 of his class throughout high school.

According to Michael, sleep really helped him get the grades. In fact, getting plenty of sleep is a rule in the Burns’ household, he said.

“Your job is your education,” Marilyn added.

Michael also participated in the Lehigh University High School Scholars Program, during which he studied Chinese civilization and biology/human reproduction. He earned a 4.0 GPA in both classes.

In high school, Michael's favorite class was advanced placement chemistry.

“I just really enjoyed the material,” he said. “I would even look ahead to what we would be studying. That class shaped my desire to become a chemical engineer.”

This fall, Michael will major in chemical engineering at , and he is looking forward to college.

And luckily for him, he need not worry about getting stuck with a difficult roommate. Michael will share a dorm room with Jordan Smith, who was ranked ninth in their graduating class. Smith also plans to major in chemical engineering.

Despite living at school instead of home, Michael's taekwondo training and pistol shooting with his father will continue.

Michael has been training for 10 years at U.S. Family Martial Arts in Phillipsburg. Since he started, Michael has progressed through the taekwondo ranks. He currently holds the rank of 3rd dan black belt, and was certified by Kukkiwon, the world headquarters of taekwondo in Seoul, South Korea.

“They don’t only teach you taekwondo," according to Michael. "They teach you discipline, honesty, loyalty and patriotism."

With his father by his side, Michael has also learned the art of pistol and rifle shooting. He is currently the third-ranked sharpshooter in the International Defensive Pistol Association.

In 2010, before becoming a sharpshooter, Michael placed fourth in the novice category in an international shooting competition held at the Blue Ridge Cherry Valley Rod & Gun Club in Saylorsburg, according to Marilyn.

“Your goal is to be as fast and accurate as possible,” Michael said.

Even Marilyn is involved in shooting pistols and rifles in addition to trap shooting.

But, quickly, back to high school.

When asked to detail a memory from high school he'll always remember, Michael quickly remembered his experience at the 3rd Annual Muddy Marathon in Newfoundland, N.J.

One of Michael's friends, , asked him if he wanted to participate in the April 30 marathon, which started at the Craigmeur Recreation Complex.

He agreed, but "it was ridiculous," according to Michael.

Here's why:

Participants are supposed to complete two laps around a 6.55-mile-long loop. Sounds pretty easy, doesn't it?

Well, it's not called a "Muddy Marathon" for nothing!

The two friends had to slog their way through deep, thick mud. When they came to a steep hill, Michael said they just leaned against the slope and climbed.

After three conquered hills, Michael and Alex made it to the halfway point.

Next up was the opportunity to wade through chest-deep water, followed by... more mud.

“Alex burned ahead of me,” Michael said. “He finished both laps in three and a half hours.”

Michael finished one lap in one hour and 55 minutes.

It was a dirty experience, but one Michael will never forget.

This is one "Whiz Kid" who grabs ahold of every opportunity -- no matter how dirty -- and takes off toward fun, adventure and success.

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