Hard work pays off for top students

Testing is completed and all the grades are in. After four years of hard work and sacrifice, the Allen High School 2009 valedictorian and salutatorian are Truc Do and Trevor Ede.

“I found out that I was definitely the valedictorian about three weeks ago and I couldn’t believe it,” Do said. “There were so many people deserving, especially Trevor.”

Do said her my mom was “relieved” at the news.

“She was relieved because she has shared the stress along the way,” Do said. “My dad was calmer about it. Looking back, it was definitely worth it. I don’t feel like I gave up anything. Other people that have helped along the way gave up more.”

Do said she first thought she might be able to graduate at the top of her class after her first semester of freshmen year. It was then she first learned that she was near the top. After that first semester, she tracked her class rank each semester.

“I worked for four years, but I didn’t think it was possible,” Do said. “I was happy, but surprised.”

Do will attend the University of Texas at Dallas. She received the Eugene McDermott four-year scholarship. The scholarship will pay for her entire four years at UTD.

“I love the UTD campus,” Do said. “It’s a very friendly atmosphere. Many of the campuses I visited were large colleges and not student oriented.”

Once at UTD, Do will major in biochemistry. She said she would like to go into research and might go into teaching, but she hasn’t ruled out medical school. Do said her love for science took off two years ago during her first chemistry class.

“My teacher helped me along the way,” Do said. “She worked in research and I would love to do what she’s doing. I love chemistry. It’s my favorite subject.”

Do said gaining independence is what she’s most looking forward to about college. She also said she’s looking forward to internships that will be available and the chance to study abroad. The McDermott scholars program will pay for a one year study abroad program.

“I’d love to go to England,” Do said. “I want to travel the world and go somewhere different from the U.S.”

Do said she will probably get involved with student government and would enjoy playing soccer. Do also wants to join the chess team and possibly start a band and orchestra club.

“I think it would be amazing if the program would expand and grow while I was there,” Do said.

While a student at AHS, Do was the vice president of the Spanish Honor Society, a member of National Honor Society, Eagle Depot and the UIL history team. She also took piano lessons for 12 years. During the summer she said she wants to continue piano and also take guitar lessons.

Do said she has mixed feelings about leaving AHS. She said she will miss her friends and teachers the most. But she’s optimistic about starting a new adventure.

“Wherever you go, it’s not the place that defines it, it’s the people,” Do said. “Wherever we are home is what we make. The thought of doing something new is thrilling.”

Do said she doesn’t feel like it has hit her that high school is over, but felt that after graduation, everything would feel real. To the incoming AHS freshmen, Do said she would advise them to “try their best and whatever happens will be OK.”

“Regretting things in the past won’t help,” Do said. “Learn from the past, but be happy with what you have because each person is unique in their own right.”

Salutatorian Ede said his first reaction to learning of his place in the class was mainly relief.

“Just getting the final word that everything was tabulated and we could breathe was great,” Ede said. “I wasn’t really thinking GPA as a freshman. I knew how hard everything would be to plan out because of my brothers and sisters. Then near the end of my freshmen year I thought maybe I could be at top of class.”

Like Do, Ede said he knew he was in the running for the top of the class after his first semester grades were reported. Ede said he took some classes in high school that might have hurt his chances to be valedictorian, but he thought they were worth it.

“There’s really not a huge difference within top 10,” Ede said. “I’m not too disappointed with not being number one.”

Ede said when his parents learned his class rank they were more relieved than surprised. He said he faced unique challenges during his senior year such as dealing with some health issues. He said just catching up a few days was a lot of work.

Ede said one class he took that might have hurt his chances of advancing in class rank was art. However, he said it was his passion in high school.

“It was a different path for me that allowed me to stimulate my mind,” Ede said. “My teacher pushed us to really put thought behind our pieces. It was a great chance to have an outlet and it was a nice break from other studies.”

Ede said he dabbled in abstract photography, computer graphics and screen printing. In addition to art, Ede said one of his favorite subjects was English. He said he enjoyed the books he read and analyzed in class, especially “The Stranger” by Albert Camus.

“It was really powerful and so different with how it was set up,” Ede said. “The book highlighted who we are as people and how we deal with life.”

Ede said one of his passions is classical music. He is a member of the Youth chorus of Greater Dallas and has sung classical pieces at the Myerson. Ede said he also enjoys politics and is a member of the Congressional Youth Advisory Council.

“We get to hear about what Congress is doing in Washington and we meet with Rep. Sam Johnson and discuss issues,” Ede said. “It’s an interesting way to stay informed.”

Ede chose to attend the University of Texas. Once there he plans to study business with a focus on finance and possibly accounting.

“The more I looked into business, I got more and more excited,” Ede said. “I’m hoping in the future to maybe be a financial consultant. I have varying interests and I think that career will be an interesting way to connect with all my interests.”

When applying for college, Ede said he looked at New York University, the University of Pennsylvania and UT Austin. Ultimately, he decided that it would be too hard to spend more money on out of state schools.

“I’ve grown up always wanting to go to UT. I love the city of Austin, it connects with art that I love and music,” Ede said. “UT is a great school for many different interests.”

At UT, Ede will live in the honors dorms and at this point is still “pot lucked” for a roommate.

Ede said more than fright over the impending change in his life, he feels excited about the new chapter in his life.

“I love change,” Ede said. “I’m excited to be on own and be independent.”

Ede said he would enjoy participating in a study abroad program. He wants to study business in another country, possibly Hong Kong. He said he’s always been interested in Asian culture.

“What I’ll miss most about high school is all the people, but it hasn’t hit me that I won’t be seeing all of them next year,” Ede said. “However, I’m excited about meeting new people.”

Contact Heather Smith at HSmith@acnpapers.com.

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