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Studious middle schooler seeks future as aerospace engineer

T-R PHOTO BY SARA JORDAN-HEINTZ Andy Zheng, 14, an eighth grader at Miller Middle School, is an avid reader and advanced math student. He works with XLP instructor Ann Jackson on special assignments. When he grows up, Andy would like to be an aerospace engineer.

Andy Zheng, 14, an eighth grader at Miller Middle School, knows what he likes and values in life. He follows his passions, taking courses he finds most relevant to his career aspirations. He shies away from activities he finds too time-consuming.

“I prefer not to be constricted by too many things. I like to have free time,” Andy said.

The pupil’s time, in and out of the classroom, is occupied largely by literature.

“He’s a voracious reader,” said XLP instructor Ann Jackson. “By far, he read the most books in this year’s Battle of the Books competition.”

When asked what type of tomes the middle schooler most enjoys, he said he doesn’t gravitate towards a particular genre or author.

“I just go with the flow. If I like the book, I’ll keep reading it.”

Andy completes advanced coursework in the form of ninth grade English and algebra. He participates in Continental Math League, competing in a team setting to answer as many questions correctly as he can.

Andy is enrolled in the school’s XLP (Extended Learning Program) where he spends time conducting research on his Chromebook. The eighth grader works one-on-one with Jackson for XLP activities. He said being the only student in the classroom has its advantages.

“It gives me more time to think and sort out the thoughts in my head when I’m more alone, because I have better concentration,” he said.

“Andy is very inquisitive,” Jackson said. “He is a terrific student and a quiet leader. He picks classes that are relevant to what he wants to study in college.”

The student said he sees a future as an aerospace engineer, working either on aircrafts or spacecrafts.

“I’ve always had an interest in how planes, rockets and missiles work,” he said.

Jackson has no doubt in her mind that Andy can accomplish this dream.

“He’s capable of doing whatever he wants to do,” she said.

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