I am APS is a special series highlighting students, faculty, alumni, and others in celebration of the rich and diverse experiences, backgrounds and contributions within the Atlanta Public Schools family. Together, we stand in solidarity of our shared admiration of APS and the mission which guides us. #IamAPS
Zoe Hudson, seventh grader at Ralph J. Bunche Middle School. Photo by Allison M. Slocum, APS ©
Picture this: a shy student who thrives in group settings, relishing the opportunity to collaborate and support their peers. But don’t be fooled by their initial reserve—behind that modest demeanor lies a leader with a bright smile and engaging conversation.
Now, meet Zoe Hudson, a dynamic seventh grader from Ralph J. Bunche Middle School, who embodies the characteristics of teamwork, leadership, and ambition, and exemplifies the APS Profile of a Graduate.
At just 13 years old, Hudson is already carving a path toward success, juggling her studies with active involvement in Beta Club and Future Seekers. With dreams of hitting the volleyball court in high school and possibly diving into the world of competitive swimming, her ambition is just emerging.
Hudson sat down with us in Bunche’s state-of-the-art, student podcast studio to share with us her fascination for the mysterious world of true crime, her future aspirations, and what guides her along her academic journey.
Who knows, she may one day become a real-life, modern-day Hercule Poirot!
1. Zoe Hudson at Ralph J. Bunche Middle School. Photo by Allison M. Slocum, APS © 2. Hudson volunteering. Photo courtesy of Marina Hendon.
ZOE HUDSON
Bunche Middle School’s 13-year-old eighth grader and future super sleuth
What do you like about your school?
I think our teachers are preparing us to be good learners. If you don’t want to engage in the class, they’ll make you so that you will still participate in a way and learn something new. Also, if I have a question about the work or my grades, they might they might give out assignments that could help me get my grade up.
Do you know what you want to be when you grow up?
Yes, I would like to be a pathologist or a cold case detective because I like solving things for a cold case detective, and for a pathologist, I like getting resources from people, and diagnosing things, and seeing how I could help people. I enjoy watching detective shows with my mom, and I like the part where they start solving [the crime]. I like putting the clues together and trying to figure out who might have “did it” before the show ends.
Have you learned things in school that would help you become a pathologist or a cold case detective?
Yes. I take a biology class and that can help me learn about the human body, and can help me with pathology and detective work. Because if you know how the body works, you can find [clues] with it.
Zoe Hudson, “Measuring Glucose in Your Food” science fair project team lead and Silver Key Awardee. Photos courtesy of Marina Hendon.
Do you have a favorite subject?
My favorite subject is science. I like learning [about] new species and about new organisms. I just really like that there’s new things happening in the category of science, and everything is not really the same. You could find something that could change the whole dynamic of the subject.
I [participated] in a science fair this year and last year. My project was converting sucrose to glucose and how it could affect the human body.