A Chinese-American male senior student at Diamond Bar High School in Southern California has developed a robot to assist people with disabilities using his engineering knowledge. He aspires to pursue a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) degree and has been awarded a $50,000 scholarship from Southern California Edison (SCE).
On Thursday morning, the scholarship recipient, James Wang, received the award from SCE’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Jill Anderson, amidst applause and well-wishes from parents, teachers, students, and friends at the ceremony.
Applicants for the scholarship must be graduating high school seniors with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0, demonstrate financial need, and plan to major in a four-year college STEM program. Finalists are also required to submit a short video explaining how they intend to positively impact the community through their chosen STEM discipline.
Competing against thousands of applicants annually, Wang attributed his success to his unique experiences. Witnessing his father endure back pain at a young age planted a desire in him to assist his father. After studying engineering in high school, he finally found a path to fulfill his dreams.
“When I was working on robotics, I always thought about how to create cheaper and simpler assistive walking tools using assistive technology,” Wang expressed during the scholarship application process, showcasing his passion for engineering and desire to benefit society. He stated that helping others improve their quality of life is perhaps his most appealing trait.
In addition to building robots, Wang participates in various extracurricular activities at school, including the marching band and the science olympiad program.
Wang admitted that he faced many difficulties and challenges while creating assistive devices for people with disabilities but was fortunate to receive enthusiastic help from his parents and siblings every time he shared his struggles with them.
Wang’s father shared his parenting experience, emphasizing the importance of not interfering too much with a child’s interests. He believed that by silently supporting their interests, children would strive towards their goals. Although he initially hoped his son would study medicine, he stopped insisting when he realized his son’s lack of interest in the field.
Highlighting the significance of a positive school environment, Mr. Wang mentioned that the school’s atmosphere was conducive to students working towards their goals, surrounded by peers with aspirations, mutually influencing each other.
Principal David Hong of Diamond Bar High School explained that the school offers various programs to help students cultivate their interests in STEM fields. Grade-level coordinators provide support throughout the four years of high school, offering guidance on college admissions, career planning, emotional support, and academic tutoring.
Anderson lauded Wang for his personal experiences, passion for STEM, and his ideal of inventing devices to simplify people’s lives, setting him apart as a scholarship recipient. She emphasized that engineers are often the core problem solvers, which was the driving force behind SCE’s scholarship program. Since 2006, SCE has awarded $22 million in scholarships to 850 students to meet the urgent demand for talent, particularly engineers, to address the challenges ahead.
In conclusion, Wang’s dedication to engineering, his innovative spirit, and his commitment to serving others have not only earned him recognition but have also set a remarkable example for his peers and future generations of students in the STEM field.