In a world where most 8th graders are busy worrying about homework, extracurriculars, and who’s sitting where at lunch, Kruze Lambert has his sights set a bit higher—like Harvard Law School higher. Yes, you read that right. While some kids dream of scoring touchdowns or getting lead roles in school plays (which, by the way, Kruze is also auditioning for), Kruze dreams of walking the hallowed halls of America’s most prestigious institutions and practicing law one day.

“I’d like to be a lawyer,” Kruze says, casually. His tone makes it sound like he’s talking about something as simple as picking out a new backpack for the school year, but don’t be fooled—this young man is serious. Harvard, Columbia, Stanford—these are just a few of the schools on his radar. “I’ve got ambition,” he adds, as if ambition were just another subject on his report card.

Ambition doesn’t even begin to describe it. Kruze is president of the Community Builders Club, a service organization dedicated to making Harrisburg better. “We try to figure out ways to help the community, you know, whether it's cleaning up or assisting local organizations,” Kruze explains. In other words, he’s already practicing some of the civic-mindedness that future Harvard lawyers are known for.

On top of that, Kruze plays golf (a “lawyerly” sport, as he points out), participates in the Scholar Bowl, and is auditioning for the school’s musical, SpongeBob. It’s fair to say Kruze is putting his multitasking skills to the test—and thriving. He juggles academics, extracurriculars, and leadership positions like a seasoned pro. “I like to stay organized,” he says with a shrug, as if time management was something everyone mastered by middle school.

So where did this legal aspiration come from? Well, it wasn’t some movie-inspired, courtroom drama epiphany. Kruze's inspiration came from his school principal, Mrs. McGowan, who herself used to be a lawyer. “She’s a leader, and I look up to her,” he admits. “It’s about doing what’s right. That’s important to me.” For Kruze, it’s more than just wearing the title—it’s about ethics, personal integrity, and solving the world’s problems one argument at a time.

Ask him about his grades, and he’ll humbly tell you he does ""alright."" (Translation: He’s probably at the top of his class.) Algebra I is his current math challenge, and he’s set to take on geometry and calculus as he moves through high school. “I try my best,” he says, flashing a modest smile. Of course, for Kruze, trying his best means more than just showing up. It’s putting in the work, staying disciplined, and always thinking a few steps ahead.

Despite his big plans for the future, Kruze remains well-grounded in the present. Whether he’s debating ethical dilemmas or recalling the time he fell off the bleachers on his first day at Harrisburg Middle School (and miraculously, no one laughed), Kruze carries himself with a wisdom and perspective beyond his years.

In the years ahead, Harrisburg will surely look back and remember the precocious 8th grader with Harvard-sized dreams, as Kruze blazes a trail that no one is likely to forget. And while Kruze may one day argue complex legal cases in front of the Supreme Court, for now, he’s content to play his part in his school and his community, making Harrisburg proud one day at a time.