SVHS Renaissance Man wins $75,000 scholarship
By Jackie Perrone jacper@juno.com

Photograph contributed by Graham Van Schaik Graham Van Schaik, recipient of the Intel Science Talent Search award of a $75,000 scholarship.

A $75,000 scholarship to the college of his choice is the latest in a string of notable accomplishments for Spring Valley High School senior Graham Van Schaik. This 17- year- old took second place in the country's most prestigious pre- college science competition, the Intel Science Talent Search.

Every year, some 1,600 American high school seniors enter the competition by submitting original projects from math or science disciplines. This field is narrowed to 300 semifinalists, then to 40 finalists, who are invited to Washington D.C. to compete for the 10 top awards.

Van Schaik's prize was awarded for his two- year project of study of the effects of Pyrethroids, a common type of pesticide, on breast cancer and nerve cells. Along with the scholarship funds, he received a new laptop with Intel Centrino Duo Mobile Technology and opportunities to meet with leading scientists of the U.S.

"We were treated like royalty!" he reported. "We stayed at the St. Regis Hotel, which has just recently re- opened after a huge renovation, and were entertained at the White House, meeting the President along with other officials.

"We spent three days having formal interviews with 12 judges who were experts in their fields. We were judged on scientific aptitude, in math and physics, and on our presentations at the National Academy of Science."As far as Van Schaik knows, no South Carolinian has won in the Intel competition before. The first prize of $100,000 this year went to a North Carolinian, Shivani Sud of Durham. Previous winners have gone on to capture six Nobel Prizes, three National Medals of Science, 10 MacArthur Foundation Fellowships and two Fields Medals.

Van Schaik is no stranger to high honors. Last spring, he took top honors at the International Science and Engineering Fair in New Mexico. Also in 2007, he took two first place awards at the South Carolina Junior Academy of Science Symposium, and five first place awards at the Region II Science Fair.

Enrolled at the Discovery Math and Science Magnet Program at Spring Valley High School, he ranks first in a class of 404, with a 5.234 GPA (weighted), or 4.000 (unweighted). Not surprisingly, his SAT scores are 780 in Math; 740 in Critical Reading; and 760 in Writing.

Van Schaik was personally awarded the Presidential Call to Service by President Bush last November for over 1000 hours of community service, which included developing and leading an eight- week Summer Science Program for at- risk elementary school students in Columbia. He even earned a varsity letter in athletics in his freshman year, and was named Newspaper

Athlete of the Week by The

State newspaper in 2004.

Graham's parents, Doug and Joan Van Schaik, learned something early in their son's life: when he starts a project, step aside and get out of the way. For his part, he appreciates and recognizes the importance of the support he has received all his life, from his parents and his teachers, including University of South Carolina professor Dr. Don Jordan.