Aaron Chang, of Arlington's Lamar High School, is the recipient of the 2009 Davey O'Brien High School Scholarship Award as announced on January 19 at the Foundation's 3rd Annual High School Scholarship Luncheon. He is the second Lamar student to win the award, joining James Falconer III, who won it in 1987.

Aaron is a talented and compassionate individual who has cultivated his academic and athletic talents during his time at Lamar High School. His ability to excel in multiple areas while “always displaying honor and integrity at the highest level” is admired by those who know him.

As the top-ranked student in his class of 536, Aaron has been recognized as a National Merit Semifinalist and an AP Scholar with Distinction, is president of Mu Alpha Theta Mathematics Honor Society and a member of the National Honor Society and Spanish National Honor Society. He has also competed on the UIL Science Team for four years.

For the past three years, Aaron has spent time studying the basic principles of fluorescence spectroscopy at the University of North Texas Health Science Center, Center for Commercialization of Fluorescence Technologies. He continued his research on his own this year as a participant in the Siemens Westinghouse Competition. His project, entitled “Photophysical Properties of Polarized Fluorescent Beads,” explored the resultant effects on fluorescent nanoparticles after undergoing selective laser photobleaching techniques.

However, Aaron’s success is not limited to the classroom. He was a three-year letterman on the varsity cross country team, helping lead his team to back-to-back district championships. Aaron has also competed on the track team for four years, specializing in the 400m, 800m and 4x400m relay.  

In addition to being a skilled violinist, Aaron participated in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and has served as an Arlington Chinese Church Youth Servant Team Leader since middle school. He also spends time volunteering at a variety of organizations and activities in his community such as Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child and Global Youth Service Day.

Aaron is still undecided on where he will attend college, but he has been accepted to Texas and Texas A&M. He has also applied to Duke, University of Pennsylvania, Rice, Johns Hopkins and Washington University in St. Louis. He is planning on studying biomedical engineering, with a focus on stem cell and tissue engineering.

Former Winners

Selection Committee

Previous Page