January 23, 2012 Teen of the Week - Drew Shever
REBECCA FELDHAUS | The Sun St. Mary High School senior Drew Shever will attend the University of Louisville in the fall to study business. He hopes to go on to get his master's in business as well.
Shever, a senior at St. Mary High School, has run his own iPhone repair business since July 2010, and it's getting stronger by the day. He's always been comfortable with technology, offering to help any teacher with computer problem he or she might encounter. After a bit of research on the internet, Shever realized the growing market for iPhone and iPad repairs. He even offers a warranties. Shever has about 200 clients, and he's not even 18 years old.
Drew Shever, son of Nickie and Andy Shever, is the Mid-Continent University Teen of the Week. Each Monday, the Sun features a different MCU Teen of the Week selected from nominees that high school guidance counselors throughout western Kentucky and southern Illinois submit to the Sun. Mid-Continent University will provide each Teen of the Week with a $2,500 annual scholarship to its university, which is renewable for four years. In the spring, a Teen of the Year will be chosen from the weekly winners and will receive a full four-year scholarship to Mid-Continent University, currently valued at up to $55,000, or a cash reward of $2,500 paid through the Paducah Sun if the student selects another college to attend.
His iPhone repair revenue goes mostly toward the cost of college he hasn't covered with scholarships. Shever plans to attend University of Louisville's business school in the fall before going on to get his masters in business administration somewhere like Stanford University or University of California, Los Angeles.
Shever got to visit Stanford last in July for a business and entrepreneurship conference. More than just a look into the ever-changing world of business, he experienced college life.
Though his mind is constantly busy thinking about how he can improve timeliness, quality and maintain low prices for his own business, Shever hasn't forgotten to take time to be a kid. His days are packed. Because St. Mary allows students to have phones out during lunch, Shever has time to coordinate meetings and new customers in the middle of the day. After school, he goes to track or cross country practice, depending on the season. Shever said that's the time he uses to connect with friends and stay in shape. Though it's physically grueling, it's a respite from the mentally challenging portions of his day.
After practice, Shever usually stops at K-Mart off Lone Oak Rd. to meet clients, pick up new repairs, and return finished products. He then spends an average of three hours a night tinkering with phones and iPads. By 9 p.m., Shever tries to get to homework. He checks in with his parents throughout the night, and they reconnect over family meals on the weekends.
Shever hasn't let the busy nature of his work schedule affect his academic success. He holds a 3.94 grade point average, has participated in French and history club, and just found out he will be the editor for the yearbook this semester. True to form, Shever is already looking for ways to streamline the advertisements in the annual to decrease costs to students.
Call Rebecca Feldhaus, a Paducah Sun staff writer, at 270-575-8651.
