HHCA STUDENT REPRESENTS TOP 1% OF HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS IN US

Hilton Head Christian Academy is thrilled to announce that Senior Christopher Nguyen (Chris) has been named a National Merit Semifinalist in the 70th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. He now has the opportunity to compete for the distinction of National Merit Finalist and then for a National Merit Scholarship, along with the highly prestigious distinction of National Merit Scholar. National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $26 million will be awarded in Spring 2025. 

With a perfect score of 1520 on his 2023 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT), Nguyen represents the top 1% of high school seniors in the United States. 

When selecting National Merit Scholars, the committee considers student resumes, and Chris' high school resume is impressive, highlighting his extraordinary academic record and accomplishments through internships and summer experiences. He joined the HHCA community in ninth grade.

In Spring 2024, Chris participated in a Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) coding program, collaborating with students to develop AI technology for the food industry. He also completed two internships with the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC)—the first allowed him to work with the Bioengineering Department to help develop a model that predicts issues with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). In this assignment, he helped separate parts of skull models captured by CBCT scan to aid in motion capture.  

His internship at MUSC enabled Nguyen to work as a Data Research Analyst alongside a team of researchers who performed a systematic review of hundreds of research papers on pediatric laryngomalacia. With this team, Chris co-authored a research paper published in the International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology.  

He has excelled at HHCA throughout high school, taking a rigorous course load of honors, dual enrollment and AP courses and earning the highest score (5) on all AP tests. Nguyen continues to impress his HHCA mentors, the HHCA Guidance Team, and school administrators with his growing list of achievements. Already the recipient of seven (7) College Scholar Awards, including the Harvard Book Award (11th grade), Nguyen has also received the Mayor's Volunteer Service Award for three (3) consecutive years, logging over 150 hours of service to the Lowcountry community during the 2023-2024 school year. 

I have been teaching AP Chemistry for 24 years and have been blessed with many bright students, but I have never had a student as gifted as Christopher. His work habits are the most impressive I have seen as an instructor, and he is one of the hardest working students I have ever witnessed. He goes well beyond the basics in obtaining the information he needs to receive an A in a class; he attacks all subjects with a thirst for knowledge and challenges even the most knowledgeable teachers with questions that make them learn their subject better than they already know it. I would also say that Chris is one of the nicest and most giving people that I have had the pleasure to know.” 

Dan Harrington, HHCA Science Mentor 

Chris' impact outside the classroom has been equally remarkable, with extensive involvement in HHCA extracurriculars including:

• Fine Arts (Saxophone Quartet/Jazz Band, Pep Band, and Musical Theater)
• Athletics (State Championship Golf Team Member)
• VEX Robotics Competition Team (Founding Member, Team Manager, Lead Builder)
• Palmetto Boys State Delegate
• Model UN and Youth In Government
• Debate Club (Founder)
• National Honor Society and Sociedad Honoraria Hispanica
• Chess Club (Placed 7th at State Tournament)
• Class of 2025 Junior Marshall
• Academic World Quest Team Captain

He has held leadership roles in several HHCA clubs and organizations, including Robotics and Youth in Government. As a founding member of HHCA's VEX Robotics Competition Team, Chris has served as team manager and lead builder for 3 consecutive years, earning the team several awards and distinctions, including Judges Award (2022, 2023) and a Design Award in 2022. Nguyen has also participated in HHCA's Youth in Government (YIG) organization, earning a leadership role on the Youth Governor's Staff, where he helped develop and support political platforms in this state-wide model government program.

Off-campus, Chris has found time to pursue his Private Pilot License, logging 40+ hours to date flying a single-engine aircraft. He is also a Screen Actors Guild Eligible Actor, a supporting actor in a Netflix movie, and the voice of over 75+ children's books. 

I am extremely honored to be recognized as a National Merit Semifinalist. This award reflects my hard work throughout high school, and I am thankful for my family and mentors who have helped me reach this point. I am grateful for this opportunity to earn scholarships, represent HHCA, and make my family proud.

- Christopher Nguyen, HHCA Class of 2025

Chris' selection as a Semifinalist in the National Merit Scholarship Program reflects HHCA’s commitment to academic excellence, where students grow in Christ-centered confidence and Christ-centered worth while becoming the problem-solvers, collaborators, and innovators God created them to be. 

Doug Langhals, HHCA Head of School shared, “I am incredibly proud of Chris. Not only does he work hard to achieve great academic success, but he is also an impressive young man of true Christian character. He embodies our commitment to engage students with challenges in the classroom and provide opportunities for them to learn, adapt, and engage effectively in the world around them. Chris has done this phenomenally well and we are so excited about all that lies ahead for him.”