One of the highest honors that one can achieve in high school is being recognized for top-of-the-class status. Every year, North Atlanta High School seniors look forward to the announcement of their class valedictorian and salutatorian. On February 13, Miah Chien was announced as salutatorian for the Class of 2024. Chien’s remarkable journey to this prestigious accomplishment has been fueled by a powerful combination of determination and self-assurance.
Chien attributes her academic success primarily to her diligence. Throughout her high school career, she has maintained focus on her long-term goal of upholding an exceptional grade point average. Chien is enrolled in North Atlanta’s International Baccalaureate Diploma Program. She’s known since freshman year that challenging herself while achieving excellent grades would pave the way for a seamless journey to success. Although she acknowledges experiencing moments of struggle, she believes that the program ultimately strengthened her. “During my junior year, I really struggled with sleep deprivation,” said Chien. “But in the end, I got through it and I became more resilient.”
Though Chien excels in all of her classes, her strongest area is mathematics. She much prefers to spend her time solving equations than deciphering texts. Chien credits her mathematical prowess to NAHS math teacher David Ehrman, who sparked her passion for the subject. Outside of Ehrman’s math class, Chien has generously devoted time to tutoring her peers. “Miah is a super duper hard worker, who has always been very helpful toward her classmates,” said Ehrman. “I appreciate her willingness to learn and inquisitive nature.”
For Chien, having a vibrant life beyond the classroom is imperative. She is involved in Mu Alpha Theta, NAHS Orchestra, Formosa Association of Student Cultural Ambassadors (FASCA), and Operation Feed ATL. Music is a tremendous passion of hers, evident through her adeptness in playing both the piano and cello. Chien is also quite the gamer. In her moments of leisure, she can often be found playing Tetris. “High school has allowed me to really discover myself and my interests,” said Chien. “I love being involved in such a wide variety of things.”
Chien’s remarkable achievement as the salutatorian is a testament to her unwavering dedication and hard work. Through her leadership and humility, she is destined to make a meaningful impact on the world. As she continues to navigate the rest of her senior year, North Atlanta is excited to see what incredible achievements lie ahead for her.
