BEST & BRIGHTEST: Master of speech — in his 2nd language

TO OUR READERS: This is one in a series of stories featuring The Gazette's Best & Brightest high school seniors, Class of 2009.

Joseph Zhang moved to America from China at the age of five, and the transition wasn't easy.

"I didn't know the language, and the culture was so different. I remember being in Chicago O'Hare and everything seemed so big. I thought McDonald's was fine dining," Zhang said.

Zhang's parents left China looking for a better life when he was a few months old. He was left with his grandparents, whom he looked upon as parents.

"My grandmother is my role model," Zhang said. "I missed my grandparents so much when I came here."

Zhang credits his grandparents with instilling in him the importance of education. "My grandfather was sent to Siberia just for being a good student," said Zhang. "During the Cultural Revolution, universities were targeted as threats to the regime. He was returned after a few years but never finished school. It's a shame because he has a brilliant mind."

His grandmother faced countless hardships, Zhang said, but she never lost courage. After his grandfather returned, his grandparents went "underground" and established a private school district, Zhang said.

"Joseph is one of the few teenagers who still respect teachers," Pine Creek teacher Nan Gefreh said.

Zhang sought out Gefreh three years ago when she was the speech and debate coach. He was working on a speech for the Future Business Leaders of America and was concerned about his Chinese accent, she said. "His family speaks Chinese at home. He lives in two different cultures yet balances them so well," Gefreh said.

Gefreh suggested Zhang compete at speech tournaments to gain confidence and the all-A student discovered a side to himself he never knew, she said.

"I found something wonderful," Zhang said. "I love feeding off the audience."

With a 4.58 GPA, Zhang had always excelled academically, but he found himself bringing home speech awards, too.

"I can see Joseph becoming a motivational speaker," Gefreh said. "I saw him speak recently, and people were spellbound."

The co-valedictorian won a full scholarship to a Colorado school of his choice this year, several speech state championship awards and headed up three city- and statewide volunteer organizations.

But one of the biggest highlights of his year is that his grandparents finally received government permission to move to the United States, he said. "They're doing really well.

They know a few English words now and go shopping by themselves. I love seeing them and go by almost every day after school," he said.

YUNCHANG JOSEPH ZHANG
PINE CREEK HIGH SCHOOL

Parents: Dongsheng and Suli Zhang

College plans: To study international business at the University of Denver

If you had a million dollars which philanthropic organization would you form and why:

"I'd fund a study abroad program for the many students who can't afford it. Much of what develops a person is understanding the rest of the world."

Other details: Mayor's 100 Teens keynote speaker; state volunteer chair for Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership; entertainment supervisor for the Cunningham Foundation; co-creator and chair for citywide public relations campaign for Mothers Against Drunk Driving; Presidential Summit Service Award; Boettcher Scholar; state vice president and state champion, DECA; team captain and national qualifier National Forensics League; Future Business Leaders of America state and district champion