extracurriculars Highlights from Matthew Zhang
Writing
- Member of the Iowa Young Writer’s Studio (IYWS), 2021 Summer
A prestigious writing summer camp with less than 5% acceptance rates - Member of the Between the Lines (BTL) International Writing Program, 2020 Summer
Hosted by the University of Iowa for a cultural exchange program that focuses on the art and craft of creative writing. - 12-time Awardee of the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
Issued by Scholastic Art & Writing Awards2022 4 Gold Keys, 1 Silver key, 1 National Medal
2021 4 Silver Keys and 2 Honorable Mentions
Community Service Leadership
- Founder and President, 2020 Jan – Present
Livingston Youth Organization For Human Services
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, which conducts various community service projects throughout the township of Livingston and neighboring communities - “2021 Hero” of New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District
Issued by House Representative Mikie Sherrill · Dec 2021
Recognized for outstanding community service efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic
New Jersey State Governor’s Jefferson Award Medalist in the Youth in Service Category
Issued by NJ State Governor · Sep 2021
The Jefferson Award is considered the Nobel Prize for public serviceIssued by Livingston Kiwanis Club · Jul 2021
Issued by Boy Scouts of America · June 2022
Only 5% of all boy scouts reach the rank of Eagle Scout.2x winner of the President’s Gold Volunteer Service Award
Received the award in both 2020 and 2021
Entrepreneurship
- Founder and Chief Executive Officer, May 2020 – Present
Omega Speech And Debate LLC
A Public Speaking And Debate Academy For Students In Grades 5-12. - Entrepreneurship Competition Awards
1st Place at the 2021 Jacobson Institute’s Innovator Competition – awarded a $1500 grant
1st Place at the 2022 PitchNJ High School Entrepreneurship Contest – awarded a $1500 grant
- Vice President
Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda (FBLA-PBL), Jun 2021 – Present
- Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) – Competitive Events Achievements
2020 New Jersey State Leadership Conference – 3rd place in Social Media Strategies
2021 New Jersey State Leadership Conference – 2nd place in Social Media Strategies
2021 U.S. National Leadership Conference – 4th place in Social Media Strategies
2022 New Jersey State Leadership Conference – 1st place in Broadcast Journalism
Speech and Debate
- Team Captain, Jun 2020 – Present
Livingston High School Forensic Speech and Debate Team
Public Forum Debate Rankings
Issued by National Speech And Debate Association (NSDA) · Aug 2021New Jersey State Rank:
#1 partnership, #2 individual debaterUnited States (national) Rank:
#2 partnership, #5 individual debater- 1st Place in the Silver Public Forum division of the 2020 Tournament of Champions (TOC)
Issued by Tournament of Champions · Apr 2020 - Semifinalist in Public Forum at the 2022 NCFL Grand National tournament
2022 IPPF “Sweet 16” Qualifier
Issued by International Public Policy Forum (IPPF)
Placed in the top 10 out of hundreds of teams from around the world in this global debate competition
- Debate National Championship Tournament Qualifications
2x qualifier to the NSDA National Championship Tournament
3x qualifier to the National Catholic Forensic League Grand National Tournament
3x qualifier to the Tournament of Champions:
10 career TOC bids, only 1% of all high school debaters qualify for the TOC
- National Circuit Debate Tournament Accolades
2019 Georgetown University Fall Invitational – 5th place
2020 Princeton University Classic – 3rd place
2020 Ridge Debates – 1st place
2021 Pennsbury Falcon Invitational – 1st Place
2021 University of Pennsylvania Liberty Bell Classic – 3rd place
2021 Yale University Invitational- 6th place
2022 Columbia University Invitational – 10th place
2022 Harvard University Invitational – 10th place - Premier Distinction in the NSDAPremier Distinction is the highest degree in the NSDA Honor Society.
I attained it as a sophomore in 2021. Fewer than 3% of all NSDA member students reached Premier Distinction prior to graduation.
Other Leadership Activities and Awards
- Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony Award from University of Rochester, June 2022
Demonstrated commitment to understanding and addressing difficult social issues;
Leadership and dedication to community action;
Strong grades and rigorous courses taken in the humanities and social sciences - Elected Vice President of LHS Student Government Association , June 2022 – June 2023
- Cornell University Book Award, June 2022
The Cornell University Book Award is given to an outstanding student in the junior class who exemplifies the initiative, integrity and excellence in an environment of collegiality, civility and responsible stewardship - President of National Honor Society, Livingston High School chapter, elected April 2022 –
Founded in 1921, the National Honor Society recognizes outstanding high school students who have demonstrated commitment to four principles: scholarship, leadership, service, and character. More than one million high school students participate in NHS related activities today. - Class of 2023 Officer
Livingston High School Student Government Association, Sep 2019 – Jun 2021
Livingston, New Jersey, United States - Youth Group Fellowship Leader
Chinese Christian Church of New Jersey, Jul 2020 – Present
Parsippany, New Jersey, United States - Co-Founder and Curriculum Director
International Youth Debate Initiative, Jul 2020 – Present
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, which addresses disparate access to debate education through quality, free debate camps, mentorship, articles, resources, and more. - Reflection on Sept. 11 , Livingston Honors Sept. 11 Victims at 21st Annual Remembrance Ceremony
- Heritage Middle School graduation speech, 2019 June
- Hillside Elementary School graduation speech, 2016 June
Present of Student Council