HPHS Student Heads to China to Compete on TV

The information below comes from Highland Park High School.

student Melanie Neilan is doing something a little out of the ordinary during her summer vacation. She was selected to participate in a star search competition in China called Xing Guang Dadao. 

“It’s basically a combination of American Idol and America’s Got Talent,” Neilan explained.

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Neilan was originally encouraged to submit a tape for the competition by her Chinese teacher Weifang Wang after she received a gold medal in the Midwest Chinese Speech Contest. She sent a dancing, singing, acting and piano sample; some were in English, others were in Chinese. However, if selected, she would have to compete in Chinese. 

“I hadn’t heard back from them for two weeks. I thought I probably didn’t get it,” she remembered. “I audition for things all the time,” and added that she’s used to rejection, which is why she was thrilled to find out she had been accepted. 

“I think one of the reasons I was chosen is because I’m American and it’s rare to have a foreigner on their show,” Neilan said. 

Neilan was already planning on spending a month in China this summer on a Highland Park High School trip. Now, she’ll extend her vacation to compete in July. Her plan is to pursue an acting career in film after high school and thinks that this is a great opportunity to get her foot in the door. She also can’t wait to perform in front of such a large audience. 

“I really love being on stage and I don’t think I’ve ever been on the stage with that many people before,” Neilan said. “I think it will be exhilarating.”

Highland Park student wins first in International Young Eco-Hero Awards

Highland Park High School student Jonny Cohen was the first place winner of Action for Nature’s 2012 International Young Eco-Hero Award. Cohen was honored for inventing a shield that reduces old school bus emissions. 

One day when Jonny was walking home from school he inhaled exhaust fumes from a passing school bus and realized how harmful old buses are to the environment. Having already taken science classes at a nearby university, Jonny had a working grasp of aerodynamics. He took this knowledge and asked his family and teachers for more information. As a result of his hard work and willingness to learn, Jonny formed the GreenShields organization and has created an aerodynamic shield that fits onto the front of old schools buses and improves gas mileage from ten to twenty-five percent.

Every year since 2003, Action For Nature (AFN), a U.S.-based non-profit, has recognized young people ages 8-16 who are taking important steps to solve tough environmental problems. Youth from countries around the world send in their stories and explain their work. A panel of judges including experts in environmental science, biology and education determines the year’s winners.

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