Plano Senior High School 2018 Salutatorian - Jonathan Zijian Yang

GPA

4.6745762

Future Plans

Jonathan Zijian Yang plans to attend the University of Texas at Austin with a major in biology in the Health Science Scholars Honors Program. He plans to go to medical school, be a world traveler to expand his world view and start his own clinic in countries of need.

Activities

Jonathan served as president of the Plano Senior High National Honor Society, and is the founder of the Manor Club. Manor Club members share companionship with the elderly at a nursing home, playing board games and exchanging stories. He also participates in For Engineering the Mind (FEM), a club that supports girls in engineering careers.

Most Influential Teacher

Pre-AP Art Teacher Mr. Ransom White is Jonathan's most influential teacher. "To me, art was a hobby and an escape—to express myself no matter where I was, inside or outside. I believe that art teachers are gateways to new perspectives, and Mr. White expanded my worldview. Mr. White offered me novel insight of the seemingly mundane. He encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone and helped me grow as an individual.

Advice to Students

"The best advice I can give is to be proactive and sleep early. Really organize all your school assignments. Make to-do lists to remind yourself of deadlines you know you will forget. If you use your time efficiently, you can definitely finish all of your work and still have time to get eight or nine hours of sleep. Prioritizing my health was my best decision, since no one needs sleep deprivation on top of the stress of school."