Hyungtae Kim

“I have learned that not everyone is as fortunate and blessed as I am. There are many aspects of life that I would have previously taken for granted, such as being in good health, living with my birth parents, and coming from a supportive family. While I was privileged to attend a prestigious boarding school, I know many people aren’t as lucky as me, and this provides motivation for me to achieve and give back to the community as much as I have received from it.”

  • Program: 2009 College Scholarship Recipient
  • Hometown: Okemos, MI

Biography

Highlights of Young Scholar Experience: Chief among the many programs Hyungtae Kim participated in was a summer-long course at Stony Brook University’s Garcia research site where he worked on a project involving polymers. Following his freshman year in prep school, he spent several weeks at the University of Michigan studying computer science and an introductory class to Java. 

Profile: Hyungtae was eight when his family immigrated to the United States from South Korea. They lived in Raleigh, NC before settling in Okemos, Michigan, not far from the campus of Michigan State University. He overcame a rough start and became an honor student at Phillips Academy in Massachusetts. Public service is a major part of his life as witnessed by the countless hours he worked with adopted Korean children in Andover. 

Inspiration:  His mother is the person Hyungtae looks up to and thanks her for where he is today. A college graduate with an advanced degree, she made a conscious decision to remain at home and watch over Hyungtae’s younger brother who is autistic. He was also grateful to his teachers in the science department at Phillips who introduced him to his favorite subject, physics. 

Aspiration:  No matter what his career path will be, community service was and will remain an important of his life.

Making a Difference:  While in high school, Hyungtae was an active member of Korean Cultural Outreach of Andover, Massachusetts, an organization that works with adopted Korean children to help them connect with their roots and learn more about their heritage.   He tried his best to explain to the youngsters that their birth parents still love them and did not abandon them. Rather, he said, they wanted them to have a better life and more opportunities than they could provide in Korea. 

Accolades:  In 2008, Hyungtae was named a National AP Scholar and his name was a constant on the Phillips Academy honor roll.

Interesting fact: He’s a breakdancer and he’s performed in dance competitions and shows. 

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