Rhodes Scholar was always an achiever

Back when John Blaine Moore was a middle school student, he finished a class project at 9:30 the night before it was due. But he didn't think it was good enough. "He was completely dissatisfied with it and tore it up," said his mom, Cathy Carpenter Moore of Cordova. It was a poster exhibit. She couldn't recall the subject matter, but does recall trekking to the store late that night to get supplies for him to start over. He stayed up all night to get it just right. She said it was an example of the work ethic and diligence that led him last week to be dubbed a Rhodes Scholar.

Perhaps the most prestigious scholarship in the world, the award pays all expenses for two or three years of study at the University of Oxford in England, an average of $45,000 a year for each student in university fees, transportation and a stipend for necessities. The 21-year-old Cordova High School graduate is one of 32 men and women in the United States to be named a Scholar this year. About 85 Rhodes Scholars are selected worldwide each year. Moore is to enter Oxford in October 2008. And he's stunned. He didn't expect to win. "The odds were so small," he said. The people who watched him grow up were stunned and elated as well. But not surprised.

"Blaine has always been highly motivated and self-driven. ... He was never satisfied. It was very frustrating," his mom said, laughing a bit.

He was valedictorian of his class at Cordova High, where he also was a star football player. He entered the United States Naval Academy, where he is a senior majoring in chemistry and is academically first in his class. After Moore graduates from the Naval Academy and becomes a commissioned officer, he plans to study pharmacology at Oxford. He then plans to enter medical school before he starts training in the Navy's medical corps.

"I eventually want to be a doctor. I'm interested in doing both clinical work and research work. It's important for every physician to understand what drugs they are prescribing to their patients," he said.

He attributes his success to his parents -- also including John M. Moore of Memphis -- and the Naval Academy. He also lauds his teachers and coaches at Cordova High, and he visited them this week to thank them. Cordova High football coach John Dowtin said Moore is special, and not only because of his academic accomplishments and work ethic.

"He really does want to help people and make a difference," Dowtin said. "He's such a humble kid."

"No one's surprised at anything Blaine's done," he said. "Anyone who's ever been around that young man knew he was destined for great things. We knew he had the drive and the focus."

Moore said he just always works hard to do his best.

"I do my absolute best. I approach school and education as opportunities to learn. And I enjoy learning. I really do," he said.

-- Pamela Perkins: 529-6514

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