Valedictorian, Matthew Trang
Submitted by Prince William County Schools Matthew Trang, Patriot High School valedictorian, will be spending his summer interning under Dr. Scott Martin at Scriyb as part of the Aspiring Scientist Summer Internship Program. This will be his second summer participating in the George Mason University program. Matthew will be working as an algorithm developer for Scriyb’s innovative online learning technologies. Matthew also attended The Governor’s School @ Innovation Park.
Extracurricular Activities: VEX Robotics – Team Co-Leader Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program – VSGI Intern ASSIP Inventor's Club – Engineering Leader Science National Honor Society – Secretary Patriot High School Ruri-Teen Club – Vice President and former Secretary Student Council Association – Secretary SeaPerch Robotics – Navigator and Club Secretary Science Bowl Team – Team Co-Captain
Academic Achievements and Honors: Governor’s Certificate of Recognition, Early College Scholars Program of 2018 Aerojet Rocketdyne Scholarship Service above Self Scholarship, Gainesville – Haymarket Rotary Club 2018 Apple Scholar Pamplin Leadership Award, Virginia Tech 2018 Conrad Challenge Summit Finalist 2018 National Merit Finalist Excellence Award, VEX In the Zone at the US Patent and Trademark Office 2017 Excellence in STEM Scholarship Program, National Asian and Pacific American Association 2017 Congressional App Challenge Winner for VA-11 Rep. Gerald E. Connolly Excellence Award, VEX In the Zone Turkey Trot Tournament 2018 Conrad Challenge Semi-Finalist 2018 National Merit Scholar Semifinalist SANS CyberStart Challenge
Community Involvement: Haymarket Regional Food Pantry volunteer Marsteller Middle School VEX Robotics mentor Science National Honor Society Tutoring Committee Osteoprep Lab volunteer Bull Run Regional Library volunteer
Matthew's complete list of achievements and extracurricular activities Schools Attended: Cedar Point Elementary School Marsteller Middle School
College plans: Matthew will attend Virginia Tech in the fall, with the intent to study mechanical engineering and, possibly, biomedical engineering or computer science.
Salutatorian, Zaki Ahmad Panjsheeri Zaki Panjsheeri, Patriot High School salutatorian, has spent much his time in high school tirelessly meeting and exceeding the demands of his classwork, homework, and extracurricular activities. This summer, Zaki deservedly looks forward to relaxing, traveling with his family and meditating on both his past and future. He said, “I look forward to furthering my understanding of the last 18 years of my life and coming up with an idea of what my future will look like through these modes of relaxation.” Zaki also attended The Governor’s School @ Innovation Park.
Extracurricular Activities: PWCS School Board representative – alternate President of the Mu Alpha Theta Mathematics Honor Society Debate Team – Co-captain Student Event Committee – Founder and President Science National Honor Society – Vice President President of the Class of 2018 (2014-18) GSHelp at Governor’s School @ Innovation Park Tutoring Service – Director College Board Student Advisory Council Patriot’s LEAD Seven Habits Leadership Committee – Representative National Honor Society
Academic Achievements and Honors: Attended Virginia Summer Residential Governor’s School for Mathematics, Science, and Technology Junior Regional and Senior All County Orchestras 1st Place, Washington Metropolitan Area Public Forum Debate Tournament Co-Presenter and Panelist at “The Leader in Me” Symposium in Richmond Co-Presenter at PWCS Student Leadership Conference The William & Mary Leadership Award
Community Involvement: Prince William County School Board – 2nd alternate student representative Mathematics and science tutor Tae kwon do volunteer instructor
Schools Attended: Bristow Run Elementary School (third through fifth grade) Gainesville Middle School
College plans: Zaki will be attending the University of Virginia (UVA) as a Jefferson Scholar. He intends to study physics and is considering a double-major with philosophy, and is also interested in pursuing Persian and Japanese literature. Zaki hopes to join the Jefferson Society at UVA. Valedictorian and Salutatorian features for high schools will be posted throughout the summer on the pwcs.edu website.
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