CV
Sophia Kalantzis-Cope · Class of 2027
Education
Champaign Central High School
Champaign, Illinois · Expected graduation May 2027
Current coursework · 2026–2027
AP Biology
AP Statistics
AP U.S. Government & Politics
AP English Literature & Composition
Spanish IV
Economics
Chamber Orchestra
Completed AP coursework
AP World History · 2025 · Score: 4
AP U.S. History · 2026 · Score: 5
AP Calculus AB · 2026 · Score: 5
AP English Language & Composition · 2026 · Score: 5
Additional academic study
Northwestern University · Center for Talent Development
Persuasive Writing and the Constitution · January–March 2021
Advanced Grammar & Academic Writing · June–August 2021
Pre-Algebra 1 · June–August 2021
Academic Honors
National Honor Society
2025–2026
National Spanish Honor Society
2025–2026
AP Scholar with Honor
College Board · June 2026
Academic Letter
Champaign Central High School · 2024–2026
Academic Letter
Champaign Central High School · 2025–2026
Big 12 Conference Scholar-Athlete
2024–2026
IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award
2023–2026
Athletics
Champaign Central High School · Varsity Girls Tennis
2023–2027 · Four-year team member
Four-year varsity player competing in singles and doubles. Has competed in more than 80 matches, training regularly and contributing through teamwork, resilience, and mentoring teammates.
All-Area Second Team
The News-Gazette · 2024
All-Area Girls’ Tennis Team
The News-Gazette · 2025
Music
Champaign Central High School · Chamber Orchestra
2023–2027 · Four-year member
Violinist in the school’s annually auditioned ensemble, with ongoing private study. Prepared repertoire for 12 concerts and earned a Division I (Superior) rating at the IHSA Solo & Ensemble Contest. Played second violin during the 2023–2024, 2024–2025, and 2025–2026 school years.
Private violin instruction · Min Jung Kim
2020–2027
Illinois String Academy · Violin
2014–2020 · Instruction with Aaron Jacobs
Languages
English
Spanish · Four years of study, grades 9–12
Latin · Three years of study, grades 6–8
Greek · Conversational
Clubs & Leadership
Students Demand Action · Communications Officer
2025–2026 and 2026–2027
Elected Communications Officer. Leads the chapter’s communications calendar, drafts posts and announcements, promotes meetings and events, and coordinates with officers and community partners. Created 21 campaign materials and promoted seven events.
Students Demand Action · Member
2023–2024 and 2024–2025
Illinois Advocacy Day
Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action · May 19, 2026
Spoke with policymakers and lawyers about civic issues and advocacy.
Research Projects
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign · Student Outreach Assistant
AI in Education: Developing District Policies · Summer 2024
Researched school district contacts, emailed K–12 superintendents and education officials, and followed up on responses to support an AI education outreach initiative. Contributed 55 hours to a project that received letters of commitment and support from 17 districts serving approximately 325,000 students.
Grainger WYSE LEAP · Engineering Camp Participant
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign · Summer 2025
Programmed a MicroPython weather station, integrated sensors, and collected environmental data, building coding and engineering skills.
Volunteer experience
Champaign Public Library · Volunteer
2025 and 2026
Shelved books, organized collections, assisted patrons, prepared library materials, and supported daily library operations.
Work experience
Champaign Country Club · Tennis Assistant
June–August 2025
June–August 2026
Assisted tennis professionals with youth lessons and clinics for ages 3–17 across eight weekly sessions. Led drills, demonstrated fundamentals, adapted instruction, set up equipment, and helped maintain a safe, encouraging environment.
Tutoring, babysitting, housesitting & petsitting
Occasional work alongside school and extracurricular commitments.
Awards & scholarships
Trailblazer Scholarship
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign · Grainger Engineering LEAP: Learning Electronics, AI, and Programming Camp · June 2025
Division I (Superior)
IHSA Music Solo & Ensemble Contest · Mattoon High School · March 7, 2026
Media
2024 All-Area Girls’ Tennis: Meet the complete team
The News-Gazette, republished by Yahoo Sports · December 7, 2024
Lists Sophia on the All-Area Second Team for Champaign Central.
Shin, Clampitt notch wins at Centennial tennis invitational
The Sentinel · September 28, 2024
Reports doubles results for Sophia and Lily Kant at the Centennial invitational.
Teutopolis Finishes Second at Champaign Centennial Tennis Meet
979 XFM / KJ Country
Includes Sophia and Lily Kant’s doubles results for Champaign Central.
Tennis (Girls V) Scores
Mahomet-Seymour High School · September 17, 2024
Records Sophia’s singles and doubles matches against Mahomet-Seymour.