By Sue Wambolt, Contributing Writer
Westborough High School senior Frank Chang (Photo/submitted)
Westborough – Westborough High School (WHS) senior Frank Chang was among the 22 local students recently honored at the Corridor Nine Area Chamber of Commerce 2014 Scholastic and “Champion of Education” awards breakfast held at the Doubletree Hotel.
Chang made the most of his four years at WHS, becoming in involved in a wide variety of extra-curricular activities, including Student Council, National Honor Society, track, Sports Debate Team, Westborough Recreation Basketball, and East Coast manager for “Cards for Love,” a nonprofit organization that designs and sells greeting cards to provide medical supplies to people in developing countries. Additionally, he is interested in graphic design, video production, web page design and poetry.
While Chang said that he has been taught by many wonderful teachers at WHS, he said that it is world language teacher Ann Piscia who has affected him the most.
“Mrs. Piscia is always very happy and is a positive influence on everyone. She inspires others to be better people. She understands that kids have too much homework these days and gives the perfect balance of work and teaching,” Chang said. “I have learned a lot about Spanish grammar and culture in her class.”
For many, including Chang, high school offers opportunity for growth beyond academics.
“At Westborough High School I learned how to communicate with others well and how to deal with failure whether it was grades, sports, or social issues,” he said. “I also gained insight on how to manage stress and work around a busy schedule. Participating in the National Honor Society and Student Council helped me be a better leader as well.”
The most valuable lesson Chang said that he learned, though, was to keep trying and always aspire to be the best he can be, while also recognizing that things will turn out well in the end. It is a lesson that Chang’s hero, Michael Jordan, has taught him as well.
“Not only was Michael Jordan the greatest basketball player ever, but he was extremely hardworking and is an inspiration to those who are doubted by others. He was said to be too short to play varsity ball his sophomore year, but persevered and proved that people can work to be great,” Chang noted.
In addition to Jordan, Chang said that his brother Eric, 23, has been an inspiration to him.
“I look up to Eric a lot. He set a great example for me by being hardworking and nice,”
Chang said. “He inspires and motivates me to do well.”
Chang will most likely be attending college at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). He plans to major in economics and has aspiration to become a general manager for a professional sports team.
“I love the idea of managing players and building a great team,” Chang said. “I have always been interested in the economy and business in general and, because I love sports, it would be great to get into the sports field and be a sports general manager. Economics and business can help me break into that field because sports teams like people who are good with numbers.”
Chang is looking forward to graduation and the adventure that await beyond high school.