NSC Matric (2019) - 9 Distinctions
Source credit: Courtesy of 'AWSUM News - North West' (Monday, 13th January 2020) newspaper
Congratulations to Yunzhao Emily Wang, formerly a Grade 12 learner at The High School For Girls Potchefstroom in the North West Province, for attaining the following results during the 2019 NSC final matric examinations:
9 A's out of 9 subjects at an average of 91.9%;
98% for Tourism;
96% for Life Orientation;
92% for Accounting;
89% for Afrikaans (First additional language) and Physical Sciences;
88% for English (Home language) and Geography;
87% for Mathematics; and
84% for Business Studies.
Artikel krediet: Te danke aan 'Potchefstroom Herald' (Donderdag, 9 Januarie 2020) koerant b.2/24
New country, new culture
In 2010, 10-year-old Emily and her mother, Cuiping Dong, immigrated from China to South Africa and she enrolled at a primary school in Rustenburg the following year. The huge language barrier caused her to repeat Grade 4.
“I felt trapped because I couldn’t talk to anyone. Everything was foreign to me.”
Photo credit: Courtesy of 'Potchefstroom Herald' (Tuesday, 14th January 2020) newspaper
Emily credits her faith in God and her grandmother, Marie du Toit, for helping her 'pull-through". The high school music teacher helped her with homework and additional exercises until 10 pm everyday. Through hard work and determination, her academic results consistently improved each passing term.
"Adopt a study method that will help you when studying. Don't look for excuses when you don’t do well. Achievement is not based on race or ethnicity."
Excelling at high school
Photo credit: Courtesy of 'Potchefstroom Herald' (Tuesday, 14th January 2020) newspaper
Emily was the top academic achiever since the first term of her Grade 8 education at Potchefstroom Girl's High in 2015.
“I was delighted because I was number four in Grade 7. It was such a surprise that, of the crème de la crème, it was me.”
Photo credit: Courtesy of 'AWSUM News - North West' (Wednesday, 5th June 2019) newspaper
For five consecutive years, Emily earned certificates for her academic excellence and won awards for active participation, support and contribution in extra-curricular sports and cultural activities, including representing North West Province in the 2019 National MinQuiz Olympiad and earning provincial colours in drum majorettes. Her testimonial letter classifies her academic achievements as "superior" and states that she "possesses leadership qualities and is a team player".
South African at heart
Photo credit: Courtesy of 'Twitter / Trending Videos SA' (Wednesday, 20th November 2020)
Emily really loves South Africa and all its people. She won a new Samsung Galaxy A30s smartphone, met hip-hop artist Cassper Nyovest and attended his Fill Up Royal Bafokeng Stadium concert in Rustenburg on Sunday 15th December 2019, by tweeting a video of herself rapping in Setswana to one of his songs.
More challenges
Article credit: Courtesy of 'Potchefstroom Herald' (Tuesday, 14th January 2020) newspaper
Emily's plan to study Actuarial Science at the University of Cape Town (UCT) in 2020 has been devastated as her Chinese citizenship has denied her from obtaining any bursaries. She desperately wants to study in South Africa and has desperately been looking for other ways to access funds for her tertiary studies.
If you can help Emily, please e-mail her directly: Yunzhao.emily@gmail.com
