National Merit semifinalist: Adam Sims | Del Sol High School

■ What college do you plan on attending and for what major?

I plan on attending Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the fall of 2012 to study aerospace engineering. I decided to go into aerospace engineering a few years ago, as I have always had a talent with math and science, and because, quite frankly, it’s a well-paying field.

■ What extracurricular activities do you participate in?

I participate in my school’s Key Club, as well as the Varsity Quiz team, where I am co-captain for the second year. I also am an active member in my church’s Boy Scouts troop, where I am pursuing my Eagle Scout award.

■ What do you do for fun?

During my free time, I enjoy video games as well as camping and hiking, reading books on history, particularly the Dark Ages, and reading fantasy novels.

■ In detail, how did you prepare for the PSAT?

To be quite honest, I never actually set apart time to study specifically for the PSAT. I guess I just learned everything I needed either in class or in my own recreational studies.

■ Why are grades so important to you?

I’ve never been too keen on the interpretation of grades as being representative of what one knows. I believe grades are more representative of how hard one is willing to work to make the best life possible for themselves. It is for this reason that I have always striven to do well academically. I want to do well in the real world as well.

■ What’s your favorite movie and book?

My favorite movie of all time would have to be “Monty Python and the Holy Grail.” It’s silly, stupid but somehow incredibly hilarious. My favorite book would have to be a tossup between the dystopian classics “1984” and “Fahrenheit 451.”

■ What’s a guilty pleasure of yours — such as a TV show, movie or hobby — and why are you ashamed of liking it?

My biggest guilty pleasure would be the movie “Kung Pow: Enter the Fist” because it is unrelentingly, endlessly random, trivial and frankly it lacks the class and sophistication others expect that I have. Though those who believe I wouldn’t like such a movie, probably don’t know me very well.