Livingston High Selects Class Valedictorian, Salutatorians For 2016

Livingston, NJ – Livingston High School has selected its valedictorian and salutatorians for 2016.

According to a school news release, valedictorian Adam Chang is part of the math team and Spanish Honor Society. With a friend, Chang created the Teaching Investment and Money Management Initiative (TIMMI), a student-led advocacy organization that shares financial literacy education. He also plays clarinet in school and local ensembles.

Outside of school, Chang has worked in neurology research, as well as at the Morris Museum, where he demonstrated science experiments to young visitors. Ultimately, he hopes to pursue a career in a field related to economic development.

Co-salutatorian Rebecca Lin is the co-president of the Organization of Student Tutors, matching students who request academic help with peer tutors.

She is a varsity epee fencer and a captain of the LHS fencing team, and has been active in community service as a member of Key Club and a volunteer at a local eye doctor's office.

Lin attends the Science Honors Program at Columbia University, where she takes weekly science classes and conducts labs. She attended the New Jersey Governor's School in the Sciences last summer, and also won first place in New Jersey in the National Spanish Exam for Levels 3 and 4 and second place in New Jersey for Level 2.

Co- salutatorian Jeanna Qiu has won national and state championships for debate and public speaking, as well as national and regional recognition for her writing in various writing competitions.

Qiu is also an accomplished cellist and has studied cello at Manhattan School of Music for four years. She has served as principal cellist of the Manhattan School of Music Symphony and Repertory orchestras, and was selected as one of six high school musicians from the United States to play at the United Nations in 2014 in celebration of United Nations Day.

She is also founder and president of Chamber for a Cause, an organization affiliated with the Arts Council of Livingston, whose mission is to provide a platform for student musicians to give back to the community through playing chamber music at nursing homes and other community events.

In addition, Qiu is the co-captain of the Livingston High School Science Olympiad team, placing in state and regional events throughout her high school years. In the summer of 2015, she was chosen to represent LHS at New Jersey Girls State.

Sign up for Patch NJ email newsletters here.

Send local news tips, photos and press releases to eric.kiefer@patch.com