Westfield High School senior Mitchell Turley will play two sports while studying biomedical engineering at MIT
Mitchell Turley isn’t your typical jock. While his dominance on the athletic field has earned him county and state accolades, Turley challenges and devotes himself just as passionately in the classroom, earning valedictorian for the senior class.
In the fall, Turley will attend Massachusetts Institute of Technology where he will major in biomedical and mechanical engineering. He also has committed to play football and lacrosse at school in Cambridge, Mass.
“I’m kind of a nerd. I’ve bridged that stereotype,” he said. “I really feel blessed. I’ve been gifted with the skills and talents on the academic side and the athletic ability to play not one but two sports.”
Engineering a dream
“I almost always knew I wanted to be an engineer. MIT was always one of the first, at the top of engineering lists. It was always a dream to go to there,” he said. “I realized it when I applied and got the letter back saying I was accepted.”
Turley said he had the grades and sports, but attending Purdue University was in his blood as he would be a sixth-generation Boilermaker.
“First it’s a dream and a goal. I never know I really believed I could get in and it could happen with the cost and being so far from home,” he said.
Building a passion
Turley was involved in WHS’ Project Lead the Way engineering program all four years of high school.
“I always thought I wanted to be an engineer. Project Lead the Way confirmed my belief that this was the profession for me,” he said.
In his junior year, Turley took aerospace engineering course and in his senior year he picked a problem and tried to solve it.
“When you dive in-depth in a subject, you really find out where your passions lie,” he said.
Jake Gilbert, who coached Turley in football in addition to being one of his teachers, said Turley is a once-in-a-lifetime kid.
“I’ve never seen a student excel in so many ways at once. He’s going to MIT and is the valedictorian at a nationally-ranked high school,” he said. “Mitch leads multiple clubs and extracurriculars and has engaged in more community service projects than anyone I have ever met. Despite all of his success, Mitch has remained grounded and committed to his priorities. I couldn’t be prouder of what Mitch has accomplished at Westfield. It’s been an honor to teach and coach him.”
On the field
Turley began playing football at a young age – kindergarten or first grade – and lacrosse in fifth grade.
“I’m not a lacrosse player playing football or a football player playing lacrosse. I can embody both sports. MIT coaches recognized that,” he said. “Continuing my academics is first in my priorities, but I also get to do two things I love. I’m nervous to see how time management will come into play there.”
Turley played lacrosse and football all four years of high school and two years of basketball. With lacrosse, he was a two-time captain, two-time All-State athlete, and was named an academic all-state. He also played in the Final Four state tournament his junior year and for the Brine All-American team.
He played varsity football for three years and was named an all-state honorable mention. Turley also won the IHSAA Eskew Mental Attitude Award, IHSAA Eugene C. Cato Scholarship (one of 13 statewide), National Football Foundation Award (one of 15 statewide), Colts All-Academic Team, Lucas Oil All-Academic Team and U.S. Army Reserve Scholar Athlete of the Year.
“I won a lot of awards I wasn’t expecting,” he said. “When I won the Mental Attitude Award (after the state championship game) I was super grateful but it wasn’t the state ring. I was really thrilled to be nominated but in the moment I was with my team.”
Religion’s role
Turley said his priorities are faith, family, school and sports – in that order. Turley is involved in Merge High School Ministry at Grace Church, is a shepherd leader of underclassmen and participates in Student Impact Leadership and Worship Team and Young Life Leadership.
“One of the greatest joys is seeing the smiles I can give someone else when I serve them,” he said.
“Mitch is an amazing young man that is constantly striving for excellence in every facet of his educational and personal pursuits,” Eric Rauch, WHS AP biology teacher, said. “Mitch is one of those special people that you come in contact very rarely in life that makes everyone around him better. He has a servant’s attitude and respect that allows him to be a great leader in the future in our society.”
In the summer of 2012, Turley took a mission trip through Grace Church to Haiti to assist in building a hospital. He said the experience made a lasting impact on his life.
“We ran a day camp and were building a hospital.
They didn’t have staff or supplies or have medical tools. I saw the huge need for people in biomedical (engineering).”
Due to his mission trips, Turley said he is interested in being involved with doctors without borders or engineers without borders. When he graduates, Turley wants to pursue a career in the prosthetic limb design field.
“I take huge pride in serving others and helping people,” he said. “Through school my passions are more for creating things to help people – not putting a Band-Aid on a wound but making the Band-Aid.”
Meet Mitchell Turley
Age: 18
Birthplace: Tomball, Texas
Residence: Westfield
Family: Parents, Pat and Stacy; and sister, Madi.
Hobbies: Lacrosse, football, playing guitar, basketball, disc golf, hanging out with small group from church, and ultimate Frisbee.
Favorite class: AP biology with calculus and chemistry tied for a close second.
Favorite sport to watch/play: Lacrosse. “It’s my favorite to watch because it’s the only sport that is rarely on TV.”
Thoughts on graduation: “I’m very excited for my future but I don’t want to leave the friends and memories I’ve made in Westfield. My classmates and teachers are outstanding.”
Favorite high school memory: Winning conference and semi-state in football this season, and going to the state championship game. Turley also scored the overtime goal in to win senior night and give Westfield the No. 5 seed in the lacrosse playoffs this spring. “There was a dog pile on me. It was a rush of feelings. We came from behind the whole night.”
Personal quote: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” – Philippians 4:13
