Young scholar wins $30k

Brain box Chen Liu is a little overwhelmed by his latest scholarly achievement.

The former Rutherford College student has won a $30,000 premier scholarship and is among the country’s top eight pupils.

"I haven’t quite come to terms with it," he says.

"I didn’t start off wanting a premier award – I got lucky."

Luck might have played a hand in Chen’s success but it was hard work that got him the rest of the way.

Chen came to New Zealand with his family at the age of five from Shanghai.

His parents thought the environment would be healthier for his asthma.

Life was tough at first.

Chen was nine and having language difficulties when his father took on his education.

The pair worked for the next five years improving Chen’s maths skills.

Chen also attended a chemistry olympiad training camp where he found his knowledge a little lacking in some areas.

"It was a humbling experience," the 18-year-old says.

He impressed his teachers and classmates at Rutherford with his dedication to study and school life.

Chen took on the job as student representative on the board of trustees, was a member of the junior council, has his own school radio show and was head boy in 2007.

He has also tutored younger pupils, especially in chemistry, which he says helped him in his scholarship exams.

"Your understanding has to be far beyond the curriculum," he says.

Chen will be studying biomedical science at Auckland University this year with hopes of getting into medicine.

Principal Gary Moore says it’s a great thing for west Auckland and especially Rutherford.

He says Chen’s scholarship has motivated other students to achieve high results.

Hundreds of students at west Auckland high schools have also done well, achieving scholarships from AUT, Soroptimists, Portage Licensing Trust, University of Auckland and the ASB.

- © Fairfax NZ News