<p>2009</a> - SYED RAFI SHAMIM - THE MORT PYE SCHOLAR - The Star-Ledger Scholars</p>
<p>Syed Rafi Shamim is, of course, intelligent. His grades and test scores leave no doubt. But, to those who know him well, there is a dimension to that intelligence not normally associated with someone so young. </p>
<p>"He is wise," says his mother, Tasneem. "I know wisdom and intelligence do not mean the same thing. All my children are intelligent, but Rafi is wise. Beyond his years. He knows how to put his intelligence to good use." </p>
<p>A mother is expected to be generous with praise, but the teacher who knows Rafi best agrees. </p>
<p>"He not only learns easily," says Jacque Lamb, his chemistry teacher at the Rutgers Preparatory School in the Somerset section of Franklin Township. "I also can rely on Rafi to help teach other students. I know I can depend on him." </p>
<p>Rafi is this year´s Mort Pye Scholar, the top award in The Star-Ledger Scholars program. Through the program, he earned a four-year, full tuition scholarship that he will use to attend Princeton University. </p>
<p>While he could have chosen any Ivy League school, he decided on Princeton not only for its computer science program, but also because it is close to home. </p>
<p>Rafi scored a combined 2360 out of a possible 2400 on the SAT. </p>
<p>The young scholar earned perfect scores of 800 on all the SAT subject tests he took in chemistry, biology, math and U.S. history. He also earned eight top scores of 5 on SAT Advanced Placement (AP) exams in U.S. history, chemistry, English, calculus, biology and European history.</p>
<p>"He completely understood very difficult subject matter," says his teacher. "He has the perfect mind for research." . . . (continued)</p>
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<p>Congratulations, Rafi!</p>