Jack gains scholarship to Princeton

Kristina Rapley/Eastern Courier

GOING PLACES: Bucklands Beach resident Jack Zhou, 18, has been offered a fully funded scholarship to study at Princeton University in the United States.

From Bucklands Beach to Princeton University.

Life is about to change for 18-year-old Jack Zhou.

He's been awarded a full scholarship to the prestigious university in the United States worth US$164,000.

Jack lives in Bucklands Beach and went to Macleans Primary, Bucklands Beach Intermediate, Macleans College and for the past two years Auckland International College in central Auckland where he is head boy.

He applied to the university last year and was surprised to find out in April that not only had he got in but he had secured the scholarship.

"It's been a dream of mine to study at a prestigious university," he says.

"It took a few days to really sink in, it's hard to explain.

"It's just that feeling of disbelief."

Auckland International College executive principal Carolyn Solomon says the staff and students are thrilled for Jack.

"We feel he has really earned it, he's worked very hard and has been a very active contributor to the school. He's always made the most of opportunities and has a lot of energy and ambition."

Jack was born in China and moved here with his family when he was three. He'll probably study biotechnology but is keeping his mind open when it comes to deciding on a career.

He's just finishing his last exams at college and preparing for his trip to Taiwan in July with the New Zealand Secondary Schools Biology Olympiad team.

The Biology Olympiad is the most challenging academic competition for high school students around the world. Sixty countries compete with only four students selected from each.

This is the second year Jack has been chosen for the team.

He leaves for Princeton University in July and is looking forward to his studies.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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