CACS Young Chemist Award Program

Raymond Hu, a senior at Montgomery High School, has a very impressive academic record. He has won multiple honors and awards, including the Sophomore Outstanding Achievement Award in Math, AP Scholar with Distinction, and the school nomination for the New Jersey Governor’s School of Engineering. He has also participated in many prestigious summer endeavors ranging from the Carnegie Mellon AP/EA program in Pittsburgh to the University of Surrey research internship in United Kingdom. Outside of the world of academia, Raymond is also an accomplished musician who has participated in the NJAJE Region II Jazz Band, an active member of his musical community as the music director of the community service group Young Musicians for Volunteer Action, and a respected leader in his school’s marching band, jazz band, and wind ensemble.

Linda Zhen is currently a senior at Conestoga High School. As an active member of her school's music department, she has achieved multiple leadership positions including student conductor, choir librarian, and color guard captain. Her efforts towards the various musical ensembles have earned her recognition from her teachers and peers, as well as two awards for service and leadership. In addition to her work in the music department, Linda is also a member of her school's National Honor Society, where members are selected based on their academic excellence, upstanding character, and service to their communities. After high school, Linda plans to continue her studies at the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.

Mitchell Ng is a senior at Montgomery High School. Taking the most rigorous course load in his school which currently includes two classes at Princeton University, he has a strong academic record. He participated in a wide range of research internships in subjects ranging from molecular biology to atomic physics to finance and has independently published in several journals. A National AP Scholar by the end of junior year and pending National Merit Finalist, he has won a wide range of academic and service awards and is a Coca-Cola Semi-finalist. From being president/captain of several organizations including the MHS Asian Heritage Club to being an ambulance riding member of the Princeton EMS and being an All-Academic American First Team varsity sabre fencer, among many other things, he leads his peers in a wide range of extracurricular activities. Accepted into Princeton University Class of 2016 via early action, he intends to major in chemistry or chemical/biological engineering.

Richard Dong, currently a senior at Montgomery High School of New Jersey, His interest to chemistry started in his freshman year. He has started taking AP courses since his sophomore year, scoring 5 for AP Chemistry. He has been a straight A student since entering high school. His extra curriculum achievements include the regional engineering inspiration award at NJ Robotics Competition and 1st place in Somerset County Academica League.

Richard Zhang, currently a senior at Montgomery High School, has a very impressive academic record. Richard is Sr. Captain of the Montgomery Science Olympiad Team and won many individual and team medals in the central regional and New Jersey state academic competitions. He has taken many AP courses. He scored a perfect 800 in SAT II in chemistry, Math and Physics. His other extra curriculum activities included Varsity Golf.

Hanley Ong is a junior at Montgomery High School. Hanley has started taking AP courses. Hanley won the Grade Outstanding Achievement Award in Science, an award to the best students (1# out of 425 students) taking chemistry courses, and many individual and team medals in the central regional and New Jersey state academic competitions. Hanley is the founder and president of Tutoring and Coaching for Charity.

Tracy Wang, currently a senior at Watchung Hills Regional High School, has a very impressive academic record. She intends to pursue a double-major in chemistry and business management or economics in college. She has received many awards such as National Merit Commendation, AP Scholar with Honor Award, National Honor Society, and National English Honor Society, and won individual and team medals in the regional and New Jersey state academic competitions. Her other extra curriculum achievements include the Winner of 3rd Annual Young Artist Music Competition (Piano) of American-Asian Fine Arts Association (recital at Carnegie Hall), and Royal Academy of Music (UK) (teaching beginners at Mila Music School).

Jonathan Yao is a senior at Princeton High School. During eight weeks in the summer of 2009, Jonathan worked with Prof. Charles Dismukes at the Chemistry Dept of Princeton Univ. The research is about increasing fermentation rates of the cyanobacteria synechocystis Sp. 6803 strand. Jonathan scored a perfect 800 in SAT II in Chemistry, and Math. In the summer of 2010, Jonathan jointed a three-students research group at Rutgers.