AWARDS

13th February 2019, by Amy K. (G.11)

Irene J., a junior at Korea International School Jeju (KISJ), was nominated as the recipient of the Harvard Book Award at a ceremony in Seoul Chosun Hotel on December 2nd, 2018. Harvard Prize Books are awarded to outstanding students in the next-to-graduating high school class who display excellence in scholarship and high character, combined with achievement in other fields.

The award has been in existence since 1910. Harvard Clubs and SIGs holds this event in order to help attract the attention of talented young students to the opportunities at Harvard College. Donated by Harvard Clubs and Shared Interest Groups (SIGs), Prize Books are presented annually in nearly 2,000 high schools around the world. The Minnesota Harvard Alumni group states "We fellow Minnesotans participate in the Harvard Alumni Association's Prize book program because we honor Minnesota Students, and the educators and institutions who encourage of student to respect ideas and their free expression, and to rejoice in discovery and in critical thought; to pursue excellence in a spirit of productive cooperation; and to assume responsibility for the consequences of personal actions."

Prize Books may be awarded to students in a high school of the Club’s or SIG’s choosing. Prize Books are generally presented at the end of the academic year, at high school award ceremonies or graduation exercises, with remarks from a local Harvard alumnus. Criteria for selection vary by school, and it is usually associated with unmistakable academic excellence, a strength of character and achievements in other fields.

The majority of KISJ teachers and faculty regarded Irene J. (G.11) as an exceptional student with high character and exemplary academic achievements. Therefore, she was highly recommended as a worthy candidate for the Harvard Book Award.

Irene Jung’s consistent effort both in school activities and extracurricular activities demonstrates that she truly deserves this award. Throughout her high school years, she constantly maintained excellent grades. Furthermore, she had made various contributions to KISJ and Jeju Global Education City(GEC). For example, she improved KISJ by participating in and leading various clubs. For example, she co-founded the Red Cross Youth (RCY) club and works as the head of the volunteering management committee. Moreover, she leads Model United Nations (MUN) club and TEDx KISJ speakers management committee. Irene Jung’s efforts don’t stop here. She is also the editor-in-chief of Platform Post Jeju, which covers news in the GEC.

To recognize her achievement, the award ceremony took place at the Seoul Chosun Hotel on December 2nd. The award ceremony was held during the Harvard alumni Christmas party, where Irene Jung was invited and received “The Harvard Book” as a reward. Also, there was another award ceremony in KISJ high school library to celebrate Irene Jung’s accomplishment. Irene Jung said that “When I first heard that I received the award, I was very surprised because I haven't heard anything about the selection process. It was only later I heard that the faculty members chose me as the recipient. I was very grateful for such an honor.”

Last year, Olivia M. (G.12) was nominated as the recipient of the Harvard Book Award. Therefore, this is the second time that KISJ was selected as one of the most outstanding schools by the Harvard Alumni Association. By doing so, KISJ has once again proved its ability to nurture distinguished students who will potentially make a positive impact all over the world.

KISJ is a very young school that opened only eight years ago, and it is growing at a very rapid pace. Now, there is no doubt KISJ has great potentials to cultivate strong global leaders. KISJ is now one step closer to being recognized as one of the most prestigious schools in Korea.