BY MATT MACKINDER
Clarkston News Editor

Everest eighth grade students Zoe Abraham and Cameron Tong recently earned merit scholarships for their scores on the high school placement test.
Abraham scored in the 98th percentile and earned a gold scholarship of $2,000 per year, while Tong scored in the 94th percentile and earned a bronze scholarship of $1,000 per year.
“This scholarship is an honor and opportunity that will hopefully open more doors for me in the future,” said Abraham. “Academics are an extremely central aspect of my life. Why I take school seriously cannot be limited to one reason. However, the main contributing factors would most likely be a belief in a good work ethic a desire to be like the role models in my life.”
Away from the classroom, Abraham plays soccer and volleyball and enjoys reading. She said she wants to start and finish high school on a high note and that her long-term plans are still a work in progress.
“My main inspirations would be my parents (Dr. Renny and Mrs. Rachel Abraham), but I also gain motivation from everyone around me whether they be my brothers (Christian, Luke, Micah, Seth, Timothy), friends, or teachers.”
Tong said he is excited to receive the merit scholarship.
“It means a lot to me to earn this distinction because it shows that all of my hard work has paid off,” said Tong. “Academics are very important to me because I want to be successful. I take school very seriously because I want to be able to go to a good college.”
Tong plays basketball and football at Everest and said he also enjoys spending time with his family and friends.
After college, he said his long-term goals include retiring early and living somewhere tropical.
“My parents (Drs. Harrison Tong and Andrea Goethals) inspire me to strive for the Semper Altius lifestyle,” Tong said.