Simon Zheng will graduate from Somers High School on Wednesday with the special distinction of achieving top academic rankings in his class. He has been named valedictorian.
The 17-year-old will be attending the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and plans on majoring in math. Not only has he earned top grades, Simon has been an active member of the school. He is captain of the school math team, member of the varsity soccer team and participates in the science research program.
Simon is also founder and coach of the Somers Middle School Mathcounts team. He is the founder and president of Westchester Area Math Circle, treasurer of French club and teaching assistant at a Chinese school.
He has won a number of awards including the Intel STS Semifinalist, Siemens Semifinalist, USA Junior Mathematical Olympiad Qualifier, 2nd Place Individual Princeton University Math Competition (PUMaC) B Division, I-SWEEEP Honorable Mention, Perfect Score and Tiebreaker Round at New York State Math League (NYSML) (top 17 in state), 1st Place Individual Westchester Interscholastic Math League (2011, 2012, 2013), National Merit Finalist.
Patch interviewed the student to get his take on his high school experience and plans for the future.
Patch: Did you imagine you'd be named top student – was this your goal?
Simon Zheng: The first line of my speech is, "Why am I here?" Being valedictorian definitely was not my goal. It's a nice but arbitrary distinction. I went through high school taking classes that interested and challenged me.
Patch: Was there a particular class or academic experience that changed you?
Zheng: Going to Canada/USA Mathcamp the summer after 11th grade was the most influential academic experience of my high school years. I learned college-level math such as Ramsey theory and complex analysis, started a graph theory research project, and joined 100 other math-obsessed students from across the world.
Patch: In your opinion, is there anything you'd like to see the school district do differently?
Zheng: Yes, give more support to the science research program, for example by buying a poster printer. Also, I wish the school didn't have such blatant double standards for certain individuals and organizations.
Patch: What's your dream job of the future?
Zheng: Right now, two possibilities are becoming a quant or mathematician. Whatever I do, it'll probably be problem solving oriented.
Patch: What was your experience at Somers High School like?
Zheng: My experience at Somers High School was somewhat positive. I had some crazy, unique experiences at Somers, in and out of the classroom. Academically, I was unfulfilled. I thank the counseling center for sorting out my schedule and letting me place out of classes, but I found that I had to create and find many opportunities. I feel like SHS accommodated many of my pursuits but didn't promote them. Hopefully such programs will remain in place rather than lose influence or disappear.
Patch: What will you miss when you graduate high school?
Zheng: I will miss my friends, my teachers, and even the name "Sheewa."
Patch: Please share a funny or embarrassing story about your high school experience?
Zheng: My first driver's ed class was rather...interesting.
Patch: What advice will you give SHS juniors?
Zheng: To get the practical things out of the way, start writing college essays in the summer, and take standardized tests as soon as you can. Don't procrastinate, or at least selectively procrastinate. Overall, it's just another year of high school. Enjoy yourself. Continue whatever extracurriculars and hobbies you have and maybe try something new.
Patch: What are some objectives of your speech? What message do you hope to send at graduation?
Zheng: I made a few observations – about the SHS class of 2013, about connectedness, about the 80/20 rule, and about matter and spacetime. Ultimately, my message is to create meaning by pursuing your passion.
Patch: Four fun, quick questions. Ready? What's on your iPod, what's your favorite late-night snack, your favorite book and what comfort item will you bring from home to college?
Zheng: I mainly listen to classic rock and punk. I don't really go for late-night snacks, but tea is always nice. My favorite book is The Sirens of Titan by Kurt Vonnegut. Catch-22 is a close second. Among other things, I'll bring the first 14 seasons of The Simpsons and my soccer ball.
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