Elementary student council president. Canyon Hills Jr. High School student council president. Ayala USB president. Since the beginning of time, Zach Chang (12) has always been involved in whichever activity he was a part of. But of all of the activities that Chang had participated in, leadership was the program that he was the most inclined toward—the activity that would allow him to become involved with the student body and make a difference.
“My parents encouraged me to [campaign] and then ever since I became president in elementary school, it was just kind of a chain reaction. It just felt natural that I would do it in junior high and high school,” Chang said.
Given his extensive background in the Speech and Debate Club and being student body president for all chapters of his education, one might expect that Chang would go into a career related to political science with the expectation of becoming a politician. As Chang would later find out, he was just gearing up to explore other career professions.
“I’m very invested in news. I’m very civically and politically engaged with how the world works and so I considered myself going into politics, but I felt like majoring in politics in college is not something I really wanted to do,” Chang said. “I’m mainly interested in running for politics, not necessarily studying politics.”
While political science may not be in the cards as of right now, Chang is currently exploring dentistry. After having had participated in a dentistry program over the summer, he is excited about the prospects that dentistry offers and the ability to be involved in all parts of the process.
“I went toward that because my dad’s also a dentist too, so I think he was also a big part in me making that decision,” Chang said. “I just want a career where [I can] be hands-on.”
Whichever route Chang explores and pursues, his peers and his teachers recognize his talents that will get him far no matter the field he enters. From his extroverted personality and his ability to make connections, the sky’s the limit as to what he may do next.
“He’s intelligent. He’s motivated. He’s driven. He’s very social,” his previous World History and AP European History teacher Mr. Kenny Donovan said. “He does well, whether you put him in an individual role, an individual kind of project, or a group setting and he seems to do well in either of those.”
In each step of the way, Zach Chang’s best friend, Evan Chang (12), has been there time and time again to witness Chang’s natural ability to flourish in the activities he does.
“I’ve known him since first grade and ever since I’ve known him, he’s always been one of my closest friends. I would say my best friend throughout this entire life for over a decade. He’s always so funny and he always really tries his best,” Evan said. “Seeing all the stuff he’s involved in from leadership to debate to swimming, and how much he puts all of his effort into it, it really makes him such a great friend and a great person.”
In this journey of exploring everything, Chang recognizes the importance in the relationships created along the way. He leaves this piece of wisdom for those seeking their own paths.
“A few years ago, I thought it was just nice to be friends with everybody. To be buddy-buddy with everybody, but now that I’m thinking about it, it’s fine if you don’t have that many friends,” Chang said. “As long as you have a few good friends, I think that’s what matters most. Quality over quantity.”
