Sinsley, daughter of Russ Sinsley and Candace Stith of Perry Township, is one of Ohio’s open enrollment success stories. She has been accepted to attend Harvard University, among only 3 percent of applicants accepted worldwide.

A formal announcement was held Thursday at the high school.

“I have had countless late nights of studying, activities and applications to get me to this spot,” Summer explained. “Yet nothing can prepare you for the surge of excitement and disbelief that follows a ‘Congratulations’ on the top of your Harvard decision letter.”

Columbiana schools Superintendent Dr. Donald Mook admitted that it is difficult to articulate the enormity of this accomplishment.

Summer Sinsley stands outside Harvard University, where she is to attend in fall to study astrophysics and mathematics. Sinsley is an open enrollment student at Columbiana and daughter of Russ Sinsley and Candace Stith of Perry Township. (Submitted photo)

“Summer has been a beloved and esteemed part of the Clipper family and we know (that) she will continue to represent her family and the community well in the next chapter of her academic career,” he added.

In addition to playing the snare drum for all four years for the CHS band, she

Summer also participated in the high school theater program all four years, serving as stage manager the last three years and a student director her junior and senior years.

She acknowledged that her participation in music did improve her academic follow-through.

In addition, Sinsley participated on the high school speech and debate all four years, serving as captain during her junior and senior years, as well as Academic Challenge with the team qualifying for nationals.

Summer Sinsley had a varying experience while attending Columbiana High School. Pictured here, she participated with the high school theater program, serving as a stage manager since her sophomore year and a student director in her junior and senior year. Sinsley has been notified by Harvard University that she was accepted to attend college there. (Submitted photo)

Other extracurriculars include the K8LPS Radio and Interact clubs as well as National Honor Society and serving as a peer tutor during her junior year in chemistry.

She has completed Advanced Placement (AP) classes in English, government and calculus plus Kent State University College Credit Plus classes; however, she won’t receive credit for coursework at Harvard.

Her interest in astrophysics began in sixth-grade, when Summer completed a gifted project that examined worm holes and time travel.

She recalled, “I checked out a lot of books from the library,” adding that she is more interested in theoretical research than going to space herself.

Thanks to all her hard work, Summer has received the Harvard Faculty Scholarship.

Her father, Russ Sinsley, concluded, “We know that she will achieve great success and we are excited for her opportunity at Harvard.”

sujhelyi@mojonews.com