It was a busy week for DLS senior Derek Yaek. 

On Tuesday, April 16, Yaek was named to the Macomb County 2024 All-Academic Dream Team. Overall, Yaek was named the fifth-ranked brightest and best: only the top 20 students are considered members of the Dream Team. The event, held at Zuccaro’s, recognizes the top high school seniors in Macomb County based on their GPA and SAT scores. Yaek currently has a 4.57 GPT and earned a 1570 on the SAT. 

Yaek traveled to Traverse City on Thursday to compete in the HOSA State Conference, where he placed in the top 10 in the Medical Terminology division. Yaek took first place for Region 4 in February. 

Yaek, the Class of 2024 Salutatorian, was named a Commend Student in the 2024 National Merit Scholarship Competition in October. 

HOSA is a student organization for those interested in healthcare. According to their website, “HOSA exists to enhance the delivery of compassionate, quality health care by providing opportunities for knowledge, skill and leadership development of high school, post-secondary and middle school students interested in healthcare.”

Yaek’s plans include attending the University of Michigan to major in molecular cellular and developmental biology. Derek has been active as co-captain and varsity runner for cross country. He founded the Society of Young Socratics (philosophy/debate club) and is an altar server at St. Augustine Parish. 

“I want to thank my parents Jonathan and Jennifer Yaek, for fostering my love of reading from an early age and always encouraging my curiosity, ” said Yaek.