This Hamilton high school grad won $288,000 in scholarships. The ‘driving force’ behind his achievement comes from his late father

The numbers are one part of the story of David Chung, high-achieving Ancaster High School graduate: a 96 per cent Grade 12 average; near-perfect 98s in calculus and functions.

He was recently awarded five scholarships that total $288,000 as he gears-up to enter first-year engineering at McMaster University. (The total is closer to $300,000 when including several smaller awards.)

The other part of the story isn't about grades and prizes, but loss.

His father was one of the boat people" who fled war-torn Vietnam in the late 1970s; he settled in Ancaster and started a family and a business.

David Chung, the middle child, heard it from his dad often: Work hard and take pride in what you do.

Three years ago, when Chung was 15, his dad died from cancer that came on fast. He never had a chance to say goodbye.

You think about regrets," he says. That is the biggest."

On the phone, he talks about studying biomedical and software engineering, or ultimately perhaps taking an MBA, his future wide open.

Chung is composed, yet speaks quickly, as though he's got a lot on his plate - which he usually does.

But when reflecting on his dad, the words come slowly, his voice cracking, weighted with sadness.

My dad was a very hard worker. That work ethic he had, that's the driving force behind mine. He gave me the opportunity to go to school."

By any measure, Chung has made the most of it. He created a workshop for teens called Foundations of Finance" to educate peers on managing money; he co-founded a streetwear cut and sew" clothing brand; he started a club to help students cope with stress.

It was this resume that helped land the scholarships, three of which he had to decline after enrolling at McMaster. He accepted the TD Scholarship for Community Leadership, worth $70,000.

He doesn't play video games or watch much TV. He plays online chess, and he's taking up the guitar: I'm not too good, but I'm learning."

Chung played on the school basketball team, and this season suffered a concussion after taking an elbow to the head.

He confesses he's on the small side for hoops, but clearly he is guided by the knowledge there are bigger odds to overcome in life, and that the game does not last forever.

Jon Wells is a Hamilton-based reporter and feature writer for The Spectator. Reach him via email: jwells@thespec.com