This story by Thomas Hartwell initially appeared on the website of the Marietta Daily Journal. Content has been modified for the College of Sciences website.

Most stand-out high school academics will tell you they've spent many a late night or early morning studying for exams or placement tests, but not Cade Jones.

"I've never really stressed too much over it. I just kind of did what I needed to do -- I focused a lot in school. A lot of my studying just came from listening to my teachers in class, and of course after school doing homework and staying up to date," the graduating Walton High School senior said. 

Jones, who took 12 advanced placement courses in high school and finished with a GPA over 4.6, said he started slow, just taking on his regular course load in his early years of high school. 

By the time he reached the end of his senior year, Jones had assumed the role of vice captain of his school's Science Olympiad team, joined the National Honor Society as well as math and science honor societies, and been awarded multiple national, state and school level academic recognitions. 

Jones is headed to Georgia Tech in the fall with a major in biology. He says he hopes to take a research track to study the subject at the cellular level and to one day work for an agency like the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The ultimate goal, he says, is to find cures for the world's most dangerous diseases.

To read the full story and learn more about Jones and his path to Georgia Tech, read the Marietta Daily Journal online article.