DCHS graduates accepted to Georgia Tech
Two graduates Delmarva Christian High School have been accepted by The Georgia Institute of Technology as incoming freshmen this fall: John Hale of Lewes and Philip Gordon of Laurel.
Both seniors have chosen rigorous academic paths for themselves, taking college-level calculus and differential equations courses, as well as Advanced Placement chemistry, both testing out at the highest possible grade.
They also have won multiple statewide Science Olympiad awards, Hale in forensics, five-star science and a math event called Fermi Questions; Gordon in circuits, chemistry, astronomy and environmental chemistry.
Both are also pleased to be going off together to one of the nation’s top engineering schools. “It’s a comparatively hard school to get into,” Hale said. “Georgia Tech is ranked fourth in the country and seventh in the world in engineering.”
Hale plans to study chemical engineering. “Though I might switch, possibly to nuclear or industrial systems,” he said. Gordon aspires to a master’s degree in electrical engineering following a five-year, year-round plan of study. And then? “I want to see where God leads me from there,” he said.
“I really look forward to being able to open up to new opportunities,” Gordon said. “We really saw the drive for learning there [at Georgia Tech] and the number of opportunities for the students to take to explore their interests with like-minded students.”
“I’m looking forward to being able to pick a definite line of study and to being around people who are also studying chemistry,” Hale said. “I look forward to the academic spirit.” Hale didn’t exactly take to chemistry like a duck to water at first, but rather as an infant thrown into the deep end. “I was challenged to take AP Chemistry when I was 14 years old in my sophomore year,” he said. “I did well in the class, and it became one of my favorite classes.” Hale did well enough to score a five out of five on the national AP Chemistry exam, as did Gordon.
“It has been rewarding to play a role in preparing these exceptional young men to fulfill God’s purpose for their lives with excellence,” said science teacher Kim Henry. “I’m excited to hear about their endeavors and accomplishments in the engineering departments at Georgia Tech.”
“The teachers here pushed us to start preparing for college early,” Gordon said. “Colleges look at every grade, at everything you’ve done over four years. The research and essay writing here is very challenging and educational. The school has done a good job of preparing us for that completely different world out there.”
In their senior year, Gordon served as the president of the Delmarva Christian High School chapter of the National Honor Society, and Hale served as vice president.
“We’ve been challenged,” Hale said. “But,” added Gordon, “the staff has supported and encouraged us.”
