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#Written by David Tam, 1993. #
#davidkftam@netscape.net Copyright 1999#
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I can't believe this was all it took to be accepted into Shad Valley in 1994.
1. Contests and Awards
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Grade 9 Pascal Math Competition (1991-92)
Grade 10 Champ Math Competition (1992-93)
Grade 11 Avogadro Chemistry Exam (1992-93)
Grade 11 Champ Math Competition (1993-94), 5th place in school.
Glenforest X-country ski team, team was 2nd place in ROPSSAA race
(Region of Peel Secondary School Athletic Association).
2. Extracurricular
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Executive of the Computer Graphics Club at school, producing video graphics
work for local schools.
Media Services' Audio / Visual Crew, School Reach
Newspaper Club, Yearbook Club, Math Club
Cross-Country Ski Team, Cross-Country Running
Glenforest Environmental Organization
Volunteer for the Red Cross at a blood donor clinic and as a telerecruiter.
Volunteer for the Mississauga Hospital in the Admitting Department.
I enjoy sports that involve some level of discipline or adventure such as
cycling, cross-country skiing, running, and swimming. I also like to use my
computer to write programs and to create animations. Most of all, I enjoy
using the computer for telecommunications because there are constantly new
things to be discovered in the world. It allows me to communicate with others,
and to participate in the global community by sharing new ideas and
information. It helps to satisfy some of my curiosities.
3. Inspiration
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I found Professor Bill Buxton, who helped to design the interface for the
Apple Newton, at the University of Toronto to be inspiring. He gave the most
inspiring lecture which made me question the world of technology around us.
His lecture was on computer interfaces and how the general population was
misled to believe certain technologies were on the leading edge when they
actually weren't. He gave a very emotional lecture about how technology was in
control of us. The computer made people more and more isolated. He stressed
the importance of taking control of technology and integrating it into
society. Not to make society integrate into the technology. He described his
current project called "Telepresence" which was very interesting. It opened a
new door, a new area of computing that I had never thought of. Most of all,
Bill Buxton made my realize that I should always stop to think about where
technology was leading us. We should not be blindly following the masses. He
inspired me to be curious and to explore new possibilities in technology. As a
consequence of a visit to his project and his lecture, I now have a mentorship
placement at the University of Toronto which closely parallels the project
Bill Buxton is conducting.
4. Computing
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Very fluent in the Turing programming language. Able to do some programming
in Pascal and C. Taken a grade 11 advanced computer science program where the
main programming language was Turing. Attended the University of Toronto's
Computing Insights '93. In July of 1993, 62 students across Southern Ontario
were accepted into the program after an application process. The program
allowed students to gain insight into the world of computers. We programmed
mainly in Turing and Object Oriented Turing. There were lectures given by
professors on various aspect of computer technology.
Since 1984, I've had a computer in my household. My computer system
consists of two Commodore Amigas, though I am able to use various platforms of
computers with ease, including Macintoshes, IBM's, NeXT's, and Sun
SparcStations. I've used the UNIX operating system and X-Windows. I've
accessed Internet for FTP purposes, and have used the Usenet E-mail system. I
have quite a lot of experience with telecommunications because I have been
BBSing since 1991.
5. Mathematics
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I believe that mathematics are an essential requirement for all careers. I
am currently enrolled in an enhanced grade 11 Mathematics class. I've competed
in the grade 11 Champ Mathematics Competition and was in 5th place in my
school. To me, math is simple and problem solving is challenging, fun, and
sometimes easy. I believe my mathematics problem solving skills have matured
because of the results of the last math competition. I enjoy math very much
because the new concepts I learn in class help me to solve problems that were
considered impossible in my past experience. It's satisfying to be able to
solve a problem using a quadratic equation rather than by trial and error, a
method I used to use in the past to solve math problems.
6. Science and Engineering
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I have not competed in a science fair since grade seven. I have designed a
computer program using Turing. It was a heavily animated math game that
required the design of computer graphics. I also had to conceive the idea, to
design the logic, and to overcome problems that were present in every stage of
the development. The game required approximately four weeks to program and
debug.
7. Entrepreneurship
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The most entrepreneurial thing I have ever done involved the development of
a fifteen minute computer animation. The project took one month of total
dedication to complete. The production of this television animation involved
the creation of the graphical animation, the collection and sometimes
production of sound effects, and the editing and synchronization onto standard
VHS videotape. This endeavour was undertaken when I was only in grade eight. I
had doubts about ever finishing the production in time for the scheduled
presentation date. A lot of dedication and problem solving went into my work.
Long hours in front of the computer and VHS machines were spent to achieve the
perfection I had desired. This project was the jump off point for my
exploration into the field of science and technology, especially computers.
8. Personal
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I wish to participate in Shad Valley because of my strong interests in the
areas of science and technology. I wish to have a career in the field of
computers. My experience in this area has opened doors that will never be
closed again. My curiosity and drive in the area of computer technology has
naturally led me to this program. I hope to contribute new ideas and to help
in the development of new technologies in society and within this program.
(
geocities.com/siliconvalley/campus/9640/HighSchool) (
geocities.com/siliconvalley/campus/9640) (
geocities.com/siliconvalley/campus) (
geocities.com/siliconvalley)