Plano Senior High School
Salutatorian
Jessica Chao
GPA
Colleges Accepted to:
4.60
Harvard, Princeton, Yale, University of Chicago, Duke,
Rice, New York University, University of Texas at Austin
(Business Honors Program)
Harvard
Economics
College Attending:
College Major (planned):
Leadership Experience
Whiz Quiz Team Captain)
Buddha’s Light Young Adult Division (President, Activities Coordinator)
Spanish Club (President)
Engineering Club (Co-Founder, Vice President)
Future Business Leaders of America (Treasurer)
Extra-curricular Activities
Whiz Quiz
Academic Decathlon
Spanish Club
Engineering Club
Future Business Leaders of America
National Honor Society
Buddha’s Light Young Adult Division
Honors/Awards
National Merit Finalist, United States Academic Decathlon 1st Place in Region, National
History Bowl 2nd Place Team in State and Individual History Bee National Qualifier,
National Council of Teachers of English Achievement Awards in Writing, AP Scholar
with Distinction, Future Business Leaders of America Competition: Global Business- 1st
Place in Region, 2nd Place in State
Community Service
Volunteer English Teacher in Taiwan
Head Teacher of Buddhism Class for Kids
General Mentor for North Dallas Youth Toastmasters Club
Assistant Counselor for Chinese Youth Camp
What words would your teachers use to describe you?
A diligent, creative, respectful, studious, easy-going, responsible “machine”
What is your favorite subject and why?
My favorite subject in high school was definitely art history. Though I originally took
this class just as an elective, I soon realized the significance of all those works of art,
those incredible feats of human creativity. My passion for art makes me a more well-
rounded person and more open to different forms of expression. I will never forget the
exhilarating rush I got when I went to the Art Institute of Chicago in the summer and saw
those works I had learned so much about. There is something indescribably different
between seeing an artwork in a textbook and hanging on a white museum wall. As I
scurried back and forth between the different galleries taking in all the amazing art, I felt
like I shared a special secret with the artists. Through my own experiences with art
history, I was an artist myself. Sure, my work does not hang in a museum, but part of me
truly understands their message and has a deep connection with those works.
Hobbies/Interests
Reading, writing, painting, watching movies and television, going to art museums,
hanging out with friends and family, social networking
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