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Huang on AGF Scholarship

Andrew Huang 7d was honored at the US Go Congress as the recipient of the 2013 AGF College Scholarship. Applications are due November first for this years award, and can be downloaded on the AGF Scholarship page. Here is a look at the essay that won Huang the scholarship: “I stepped innocently into the go world and in turn the go community welcomed me with open arms,” wrote Huang. “Once I committed my life to go, I was flooded with amazing opportunities and experiences. Over the past ten years, I’ve had the privilege of studying with Mingjiu Jiang 7p, Feng Yun 9p, Yilun Yang 7p, Yin Kuo 3p, and Sun Yuan 3p. I’ve had the honor of representing Canada at the World Youth Go Championships and World Mind Sports Games, and playing in (and losing) a Redmond Cup Final. I’ve had the opportunity to meet people of all shapes and sizes from all over the world. Simply put, I would not be half the person I am today without go in my life.” Active in his local community, Huang also became involved with the American Go Honor Society (AGHS) and began running tourneys online. "It is not enough that I can indulge in the beauties of go; others should share this opportunity,” wrote Huang. “In my past international competitions, I’ve seen first hand how quickly and effectively go can spread through and inspire a large population of people. When I played in the WYGC in Penghu in 2010, there were several local kids who were on campus for community service (transporting equipment, helping us around town, etc), but after a few days almost all of them were itching to play a game for themselves. Once I realized the power that go can have on people, I paused my pursuit of self-interests in order to contribute to the go community that had nurtured me for years. In 2012 I was offered the position of tournament organizer in the AGHS. I didn't realize that my board position would be the most demanding, but also the most fun. That year, the AGHS held its annual Young Lions and School Team Tournament, brought back the Brunei Friendship Cup and inherited the Transatlantic Youth Go Friendship matches. I spent countless hours working as the lead organizer for these events, but I have absolutely no regrets, as I know that people from all over the world enjoy these tournaments and cherish the opportunity to play go.” The following year Huang served as Co-President of the AGHS, continuing to help run tournaments, and foster go activities for kids and teens both at home and abroad. Now a freshman at Princeton, he continues to both play and promote go on a regular basis. -Paul Barchilon, E-J Youth Editor. Photo: Huang playing a match at Princeton.