Carmen Lai, Clark High School Senior and Nevada Presidential Scholar

Tiffany Brown

Carmen Lai, who is about to graduate from Clark High School, is one of Nevada’s two Presidential Scholars. She plans to pursue a career in medicine and will begin studies at Duke University in the fall.

By Emily Richmond

Monday, June 8, 2009 | 2 a.m.

Every year two high school students from each state and a few others get to be Presidential Scholars. Nevada’s duo this year includes Carmen Lai, a senior at Clark High School who plans to attend Duke University in the fall. She has completed a research internship at UNLV, studying microbiology and genetics.

She is vice president of Clark’s National Honor Society chapter, volunteers at Spring Valley Hospital and founded a piano club that donates the proceeds of its concerts to charity.

You scored 2300 out of a possible 2400 on the SAT. Were you tempted to try again?

I’d rather not obsess over trying to hit a perfect number, and colleges give equal weight to each test score anyway.

What drew you to Clark’s Academy of Math, Science and Technology, where you’ve been a student for the past four years?

I figured the academy would provide me with a foundation for a career as a doctor.

Did you worry that you would have to give up other interests to focus on the rigorous magnet program?

The great thing about Clark is it’s not just about math and science. We have the most Advanced Placement English classes in the district, and playing violin in the chamber orchestra has helped me to be a more well-rounded student.

What school programs would you want to see protected from future budget cuts?

Band and orchestra. Music has been an important part of my school life. Statistics and research indicate music students have higher test scores, and people who are involved in activities like band and orchestra generally care about other people and the world around them.

There are stereotypes about girls not being good at math and science or at least being less interested in those fields. Are those outdated?

In my Advanced Placement physics class, over half the students are girls. In the magnet program, you’re around people who care about school and are grateful for it. It motivates you.

Your younger brother is finishing up his freshman year in the magnet program. Are you leaving him with any tips?

The most important thing is for him to be independent. He needs to pick his own path and not feel like he has to follow mine. He needs to do things he really enjoys.