Dax Kato
High School: Albert G. Lane Tech College Prep High School (Chicago, IL)
Intended College: University of Illinois – Urbana Champaign
Intended Major: Civil Engineering
Facts:
- Strong AP course load throughout — Calculus AB, Physics 1, Environmental Science, English Lang & Lit, US Government, Chemistry, Macroeconomics, Art History.
- 12 documented volunteer hours on transcript; also volunteers nearly every Saturday at a local food pantry and co-runs a student charity grill club supporting the Irving Park Food Pantry.
- VP and Community Representative of Lane Tech’s Filipino Club (Kapamilya Habang Buhay) — notable because he is not Filipino by heritage.
- Caregiver for his grandmother.
- Maintains a blog on engineering, sustainability, and urban equity.
- Capstone project in AP Environmental Science explored electricity production through copper wire configurations, connecting physics and environmental science.
- Interested specifically in urban infrastructure — walkability, bikeability, accessibility — informed by lived experience biking around Chicago and observations of city planning abroad.
