10
Jul, 2014
A Uni first: Presidential Scholar Lillian Peng
Washington D.C. Honors Class of 2013
Valedictorian Lillian Peng
With a history of producing outstanding graduates, Uni now adds another gold star to its success list: one of the Nation’s highest academic achievement honors has been awarded to class Valedictorian Lillian Peng. She joined a group of 141 graduating seniors, selected from a nation-wide group of about 2600 candidates, at a ceremony in Washington D.C. Not only were the Scholars recognized at a White House Ceremony on June 16 2013, but also during the week they were celebrated at museums, monuments and offices in D.C. In an article that Lillian wrote for Uni’s Wildcat newspaper she said: “While I am indeed proud of my academic achievements, I am even prouder to say that I am more then just a stereotype —that straight-A shy Chinese girl infatuated with science. Thanks to Uni, I have been able to grow in so many other ways: as an athlete, as a friend, as a leader through Cross Country, Soccer, Academic Decathlon, Red Cross club and Environmental club.” Lillian truly is a wellrounded person, and she selected Uni as her high school. She will be going to UCLA in the Fall.
Presidential Scholars were also asked to name their most influential teacher to come to the awards ceremony. Lillian chose her history teacher, Dr. Deborah Robbins who was also honored at the event.