Alan Zhou, Salutatorian

MUS Salutatorian Alan Zhou is a scholar distinguished by a spirit of adventure. His restless energy for learning extended beyond the classroom and the lab to include additional work in probability, proofs, and problem solving. He likens learning new material to participating in a sport. Motivated by competition, he scored in the top 5% in the American Math Competition and contributed to the school’s state Mu Alpha Theta title.
Participating in the Tennessee Governor’s School for Performing Arts, he appreciated the opportunity to collaborate with talented musicians from across the state. A flutist, Zhou won the Tennessee Bandmasters Association Solo and Ensemble Competition with two other seniors and played in the Tennessee Music Education Association All-State Band.

He dedicated significant time to the MUS Civic Service Organization, serving as the homeroom representative for three years. He supported city-wide food distribution events and tutored younger students. In addition, Zhou maintained a weekly shift as a driver for Meals on Wheels, delivering food to needy families.
 
He was inducted into the MUS Cum Laude Society, the Latin Honor Society, History Honor Society, Societas Caritatis, and the National Honor Society. He is also a National Merit Finalist and an AP Scholar with Distinction.
 
Zhou has taken global literacy to a new level by visiting all seven continents. Whether he is wandering the markets of Addis Ababa, exploring the wilderness of Namibia, or enjoying the local cuisine of Greece, he is humbled by the support of his parents. His interactions with peoples of the world have shaped the responsibility he feels to respect cultures outside his own.
 
The son of Dr. Ying Zu and Dr. Qihong Zhou, he will graduate Summa Cum Laude and attend Emory University where he plans to pursue a degree in STEM.
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