A Buchholz High School student has been named one of two state winners of the 2007-08 Siemens Award for Advanced Placement (AP), an award that recognizes outstanding performance on math and science AP tests.

Each year the Siemens Foundation and the College Board, which administers the AP program nationwide, recognize one male and one female student from each state for earning the greatest number of scores of 5 on exams in math and science. A 5 is the highest score that can be earned on the rigorous test. All state winners receive a scholarship and were featured in a full page ad in USA Today on February 25.

Buchholz senior Christina Ren earned the high score on five of the qualifying AP exams, including biology, chemistry, statistics, environmental science and calculus. Ren has earned a $2,000 scholarship for her recognition as a state winner, and is now eligible to become one of two national winners.

"I was so surprised,” said Ren. “I didn’t think there was any way I could win with all the competition for the award.” Ren has already taken nine AP courses, and has excelled on both the tests and classwork.

“She’s an amazing student,” said BHS assistant principal David Shelnutt. “She takes the most rigorous academic curriculum and has maintained a perfect grade point average for her entire school career. We’re incredibly proud of her accomplishments.”

Ren says she enjoys the challenge of AP courses, although they do require a lot of work.

“It’s hard, but afterwards you really feel that you’ve accomplished something,” she said. “The fact that it’s a challenge means I’m sharpening my skills and learning .”

During her time at Buchholz, Ren has also has played violin in the orchestra and played junior varsity tennis. She also volunteers at North Florida Regional Medical Center, which she says has helped confirm her plan of going into pharmacy work.

“I wanted to experience the health care environment,” she said. “You get to meet the patients and really get a feel for it.”

Story & photo provided by School Board of Alachua County.