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Matthew Aber's Profile
Wooster Senior Attains Audacity of Hope in Journey to Diploma
Student: Matthew Aber
School: Wooster High School
Wooster High School senior Matthew Aber’s favorite quote is a fitting homage for a young man of his circumstances. He quotes President Barack Obama’s second book, “The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream” as his mantra on attaining a full ride for 14 years of medical school he’s committing to after graduating from high school in June.
“Going through elementary school and low socioeconomic middle schools, I’ve always had the audacity and fire to hope for something more and hopefully I’ll get an opportunity to become someone great,” Matthew said.
Matthew, an International Baccalaureate (IB) student, is a recipient of the Bill Gates Millennium Scholarship, which gives him a full ride to the University of California, Berkeley. He’s also received the Horatio Alger scholarship of $5,000. In all, Matthew has 14 years of education paid for thanks to his hard work.
The scholarships will enable him to study biology or pre-med. After UC Berkeley, he will seek to attend UC San Francisco so he can become a heart surgeon. He wants to start his career in a hospital and go independent after some experience.
“I want to branch off to help give free and reduced health care to the Bay Area,” Matthew said. “I’ve always been fascinated with the human body. It’s always intrigued me. I really want to pursue that career path.”
His aspirations stem from a more difficult family life in which he and his family struggled to survive through poverty. Recently, his mother suffered a stroke and Matthew’s family has worked to provide care for her.
Matthew will be the first person graduating from high school on time and to attend college.
“I set my sights higher and go to a prestigious school and challenge myself,” Matthew said. “Some of my earlier memories were my parents just trying to support my siblings and me. I remember going to the Salvation Army to get food for us. I didn’t have a computer at home until this year. I used my resources here in the library and studied my heart out to get something better and for me that came with UC Berkeley and getting a full ride.”
But he’s also about more than academics. Matthew, who describes himself as shy, joined Wooster’s mock trial club during his sophomore year. This year he is president of the club and has used it to develop his public speaking skills.
“Public speaking is something I never thought I would be good at,” Matthew said. “I can use it in the future when I advocate for free and reduced health care. It’s actually great I found my voice through mock trial.”
He’s also involved in the school’s JROTC program, is vice president of Wooster’s Latin American club and also participates in the chess club and Academic Olympics.
Wooster Principal Debra Biersdorff said she is proud to have had a student like Matthew at Wooster.
“Matthew is an amazing young man who values education and has worked hard to make his dreams of achieving an IB diploma,” she said. “I am honored that I have had the privilege of knowing Matt for four years at Wooster and will miss him greatly.”
