Valley Forge Military Academy’s Boyuan Wang is Main Line Student of the Week (April 17-23)
A senior at Valley Forge Military Academy, Boyuan Wang is a Gold Star Honor Roll Student, Company Commander of E Battery, a member of the National Honor Society and a member of VFMA’s team for Delco Hi-Q. Wang has been awarded the Harvey Medal four times for excellence in the subject areas of Spanish, Science, Social Studies, and English. He was awarded the Emigh Medal for achieving the highest average in the study of Physics in 2022, and has been taking dual enrollment courses with Valley Forge Military College for two years.
Main Line Media News: Tell us a little about the activities of the National Honor Society (community service, etc.) and your most memorable activity with the NHS.
Boyuan Wang: The most memorable activity in the National Honor Society this year was the Near Naked Ruck March, an annual fundraiser for local veterans who suffer from PTSD. The participants would carry weight on their backs and go on a 10-mile march to represent the weight many service members carry in the battle against trauma. It was a very meaningful experience.
Main Line Media News: Who is your favorite military figure, and why?
Boyuan Wang: My favorite military figure is George Washington. I learned a lot at Valley Forge Military Academy about his accomplishments and relevance. He overcame many impossible challenges during the American Revolution and when everything was said and done he chose to relinquish his title and live a simple life. I find his motivations pure and his legacy inspiring.
Main Line Media News: Tell us a little about your responsibilities as Company Commander of E Battery. How did you attain this position as Company Commander?
Boyuan Wang: As a Company Commander, I am responsible for the discipline and well-being of our cadets. My job is to make sure that people are at the right place, in the right uniform, and at the right time. I was appointed to this position for my experience and leadership skills.
Main Line Media News: What has been your most memorable experience as a member of VFMA’s team for Delco Hi-Q?
Boyuan Wang: The most memorable experience was the first time we went out to another school to compete. It was a large school and we were in an impressive theater. The crowd cheered every time their school got a question right. It was a stressful situation but we still managed to get second place.
Main Line Media News: What is your favorite book, and why? Who is your favorite author and why?
Boyuan Wang: My favorite book is 1984 by George Orwell, who is also my favorite author. I like the dystopian element of the book. It warns people about what will happen if political power goes unchecked. I like Orwell for his foresight, his work represents the societies in our world. It raised my political awareness and made me look at government policies differently.
Main Line Media News: What has been your favorite dual enrollment course at Valley Forge Military College, and why?
Boyuan Wang: My favorite dual enrollment course was pre-calculus with Professor Ramakrishnan. She reinforced my fundamentals and taught me new concepts in innovative ways, which set me up for the courses I would go on to take.
Main Line Media News: What does the Harvey Medal award mean to you?
Boyuan Wang: I see the Harvey Medal as a symbol of recognition for hard work. I believe anyone can earn this medal if they put in enough work. This award tells me that I am doing the right thing and motivates me to get it again next year.
Main Line Media News: What is your favorite course at Valley Forge Military Academy, and why?
Boyuan Wang: My favorite course at VFMA is British Literature with Captain Hahn, he taught me how to read efficiently and write proficiently. We read books like 1984 and Frankenstein, which changed the way I view the world. Having English being my second language, I was not confident in my writing abilities, but that changed thanks to his class.
Main Line Media News: What in your opinion is the best aspect of being a student at Valley Forge Military Academy?
Boyuan Wang: The best aspect of being a student at VFMA is the cadet experience. The progress from being a plebe (boot camp) to a new cadet and to leadership is a transformation that changes people. I learned how to lead because I was a follower, and I learned how to speak because I was a listener. Cadet life is an experience that every graduate reminisces about.
(To be selected as a Main Line Student of the Week, a student must first be nominated by his or her school.)
To view a gallery of the previous Main Line Students of the Week click here
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