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Telecom Veteran Yao Chen’s Grandson Wins US "Presidential Scholar Award"
July 9, 2019
The U.S. “Presidential Scholars Award” is widely regarded as the highest honor for American high school students. Established in 1964 by executive order of the U.S. President, the award recognizes outstanding graduating seniors nationwide. There are two categories: Academic Excellence and Artistic Achievement. Each state can nominate only two students (one male and one female), along with additional nominees from at-large and special talent categories, making this one of the most prestigious awards an American high school student can receive.
“Presidential Scholars Award” — The Highest Honor for U.S. High School Students
Now in its 55th year, the Presidential Scholars Award is presented annually to 161 exceptional graduating seniors. From an initial pool of 5,100 students with the highest SAT/ACT scores, candidates are further evaluated on extracurricular activities, leadership, and community service. A 12-member commission ultimately selects 121 academic scholars, 20 in the arts, and 20 in technical education — totaling 161 honorees. With roughly 3.6 million high school graduates each year, only one in 25,000 earns this award, making it an exceptionally rare and distinguished achievement.
Grandson of Former Chunghwa Telecom Chairman Honored — A Different Kind of Taiwanese Pride
Among this year’s honorees, Ethan Chen from the State of Nebraska — grandson of former Chunghwa Telecom Chairman Yao Chen — proudly represented Taiwanese heritage. Ethan, born into an academic family, is the son of Dr. Li-Wu Chen, a distinguished graduate of National Taiwan University and current tenured professor at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, and his mother, Lei Huang, originally from Hong Kong. Ethan’s grandfather, Yao Chen, served as Director-General of the Directorate General of Telecommunications and became Chunghwa Telecom’s first Chairman after privatization. When Ethan was born, he suffered from acute pneumonia, leaving his family in Taiwan deeply worried and praying for recovery. Over a decade later, his grandfather’s joy was immense upon seeing Ethan not only recover but also win the prestigious Presidential Scholars Award.
Overcoming Illness, Giving Back Through Volunteering
When asked how he stood out among so many top students, Ethan humbly said he was “just lucky,” praising his fellow nominees as equally outstanding. While academic performance was a given, leadership and community service became decisive factors. Ethan was captain of the school’s Science Olympiad team, concertmaster of the symphony orchestra, and a member of the swim team. He also excelled in chess and violin, earning additional recognition. Motivated by his childhood illness, he volunteered at a children’s hospital to care for young patients — giving back to the community that once helped him.
Choosing UCLA Over Parents’ Alma Mater
This fall, Ethan will enter the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) as a freshman. Though both his parents graduated from the University of Michigan, Ethan chose UCLA for its scholarships, resources, and proximity to California’s tech hub — positioning himself near Silicon Valley and Los Angeles for future opportunities.
The 161 Presidential Scholars each achieved excellence in diverse fields — from perfect SAT/ACT scores to extraordinary artistic or technical talents, or by overcoming personal adversity. Their drive for excellence will continue to guide them on their lifelong journey of learning.