IMSA Senior Named to USA TODAY'S 2004 All-USA High School Academic First Team
For Immediate Release, May 2004
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IMSA SENIOR NAMED TO USA TODAY'S 2004 ALL-USA HIGH SCHOOL ACADEMIC FIRST TEAM
AURORA-- Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA) senior Bobby Xu of Naperville was the only student from Illinois to be named to USA TODAY'S 2004 All-USA High School Academic First Team. He was one of 20 students named in its 18th annual competition out of more than 1,600 nominees nationwide.
“These students are truly an example of outstanding scholarship, intellectual achievement and leadership. We are proud to recognize these exceptional students who inspire us all,” said USA TODAY Editor Ken Paulson.
For a full excerpt of the USA TODAY article, go to:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2004-05-11-first-hs-academic_x.htm
Xu, who plans to attend Harvard in the fall, is the son of Xiaoliang Xu and Kathy Cai of Naperville. In addition to Xu, IMSA senior Peter Wang of Naperville received an honorable mention in the competition.
Both Wang and Xu also were named semifinalists earlier in the year in the 63rd Intel Science Talent Search competition. Xu’s research, conducted through the IMSA Mentorship Program and focused in the field of biomedical engineering, investigated the development of effective treatments for brain disorders such as epilepsy and schizophrenia. He is first author of a paper published in Physics in Medicine and Biology and also was a delegate to the NATO science conference in Hungary.
Outstanding individual scholarship or intellectual achievement, and leadership roles in activities on or off campus were the most important criteria to the judges. Students also were judged on academic performance, honors, awards, rigor of academic pursuits and the ability to express themselves in writing. USA TODAY is the nation’s top-selling newspaper. It is published via satellite at 36 locations in the USA and at four sites abroad. With a total average daily circulation of 2.3 million, USA TODAY is available worldwide.
Located in Aurora, Illinois, the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy® (IMSA) is an internationally- recognized pioneering educational institution created by the State to develop talent and stimulate excellence in teaching and learning in mathematics, science and technology. IMSA's advanced residential college preparatory program enrolls 650 academically talented Illinois students in grades 10-12. More than 17,000 teachers and 26,000 students in Illinois and beyond have benefited from services of The Center@IMSA, the Academy unit that provides statewide professional development and enrichment programs. IMSA serves the people of Illinois through innovative instructional programs, public and private partnerships, policy leadership and action research.