Patch Chat with Valedictorian Jan Gong

The only thing more remarkable than Jan Gong’s high school career is her humility.

Poised and graceful, Gong’s self-effacing manner belies the weighty academic accomplishments that have earned her innumerable accolades and now Garden City’s class of 2011’s valedictorian.

Gong was named a semifinalist and then a finalist in the 2011 Intel Science Talent Search Competition for her project, High Glucose Levels Alter Morphine Signaling Pathways: A Novel Pathway for Sugar Addiction, which opens doors for future research on how sugar may be addicting. Her work has the potential to uncover findings for those suffering from diabetes and obesity.

Gong’s guidance counselor, Joanne Meyer-Jendras, concurred that while her accomplishments have been outstanding she is the sweetest most soft spoken girl.

“She is the most incredible young woman I have ever worked with,” shared Meyer-Jendras. “She’s a genius, there’s nothing she hasn’t tried that she hasn’t been successful at. When she becomes a doctor, I’d like to be her patient.”

The Intel Science Talent Search is the nation's most prestigious pre-college science competition. Past winners have made extraordinary contributions to science and hold some of the world's most coveted honors including Nobel Prizes.

Gong was one of only 40 finalists in the nation selected from 1,7444 entrants to earn this distinction. As a finalist, she was invited to Washington, D.C. to participate in final judging, display her work to the public and meet with notable scientists.

Gong’s achievements also include finalist status in her junior year in the National College Board Young Epidemiology Scholar competition; first place winner of the Neuroscience Research Prize sponsored by the American Academy of Neurology; was one of 45 students nationally selected to attend the Research Science Institute sponsored by the Center for Excellence in Education at Massachusetts Institute of Technology; and was a grand prize winner in the Long Island Science and Engineering Fair.

Gong is also a 2011 U.S. Presidential Scholar, one of the nation's highest honors for high school students. From President Lyndon B. Johnson to President Barack Obama, the Presidential Scholars Program has recognized more than 6,000 of the nation's most distinguished students. 

The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars appointed by the president selects the scholars based on their academic success, artistic excellence, essays, school evaluations, community service, leadership and demonstrated commitment to high ideals.

In addition to earning a weighted GPA of 101.93 and perfect SAT scores, Gong has been on the varsity fencing team since seventh grade and is a pianist and cellist. She is also a member of the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra.

Garden City high school principal Nanine Cuttitta reflected that Gong is one of the most amazing students she has ever met. 

“She is a brilliant young woman with a tireless work ethic,” said Cuttitta. “She is an asset to her family, her community and to our school.”

Gong credits her parents for encouraging and instilling a strong work ethic. Her parents arrived in the United States from China as students. Her mother, in particular, who earned an M.D. in China, inspired her love of science. When asked how she was able to achieve so much in four years of high school, Gong advised she believes in establishing long-term goals.

Gong’s message to her fellow graduates is not surprisingly goal oriented. 

“High school has given us the basic tools,” said Gong. “Our next challenge is to see how we can change the world by addressing global issues such a healthcare, national defense and education.”

Gong will attend Harvard and one of her goals is to become a doctor. She is interested in pursuing neurology or anesthesiology. 

Fittingly, Linda Fabrizio, Gong’s Latin teacher, shared Latin phrases that best describe Jan: propositi tenax (firm of purpose), consequitur quodcumque petit (she attains whatever she seeks), consilio et prudentia (with wisdom and prudence). 

President Johnson who initiated the Presidential Scholars program once said, “The noblest search is the search for excellence.” 

Gong, who has left an indelible mark in Garden City, would have made him proud.