A Tahquitz High School student achieved his freshman dream and has been accepted to an Ivy League College and has become the first Tahquitz student to do so. Zachary Miller will leave for Connecticut in the fall to attend Yale University to pursue a degree in law or politics. According to information found on Yale’s website, the acceptance rate of students for 2015-16 was 6.7%. This dedicated young man agreed to attend Yale after he was informed that he was put on the wait list at Harvard University!
In addition to the high goal of attending an Ivy League School, Zach had another goal as a freshman. He wanted to give two speeches at the graduation ceremony. On May 26th, Zach will achieve that goal; he will give two graduation speeches, one as ASB President and one as Valedictorian.
“I constantly work on balancing and prioritizing my responsibilities as well as putting passion into everything that I do,” said Zach. He said the fact that he has been able to prioritize his life has been one of the main reasons he has been able to achieve his goals. Throughout his high school career, he has taken 10 Advanced Placement and two Dual Enrollment classes.
In addition to academia, it has always been very important to Zach to give back to his school. He has been involved in ASB all four years; helped establish the school’s Academic Decathlon team and the Buds and Scrubs club; was a member of the National Honor Society, Kiwanis Club, and has volunteered over 200 hours of community service. He was also Captain of the school’s Water Polo team and Swim team. “Once I get to Yale, I will try and get involved in something outside of academics, like a club” said Zach.
These wonderful accomplishments do not come without the help of very important people, said Zach. He first thanked his mom and dad for their support and allowing him to succeed on his own merit. He said now that he is getting closer to leaving, he is realizing the small things they do for him every day and he becomes even more thankful for them. He also thanked his former AP European History teacher, Mrs. Abril, Academic Decathlon coach, Mrs. Brady, and former ASB teacher Mrs. McGowan for teaching him different skills he will carry for the rest of his life.
Congratulations Zachary Miller on this tremendous accomplishment, and we look forward to what the future holds for you.