‘Surprised’ to be val, Hu
Becon Hu is valedictorian for the Knoxville Christian School’s Class of 2021.
He had the highest grade point average among his 13 classmates, and will be speaking at the school’s graduation ceremonies starting at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 8, in West End Church of Christ.
“Valedictorian wasn’t my goal to be honest,” Hu said. “It was kind of a surprise. The reason I study hard is that I have always wanted to be a doctor and I know that requires a lot of studies.”
Hu, whose given name is Shurui, adopted the name Becon when he moved to Farragut from China four years ago, specifically as an exchange student to attend high school in the United States.
His host parents are Jeremy and Contessa Kendricks of Farragut, of whom he said, along with his host siblings, “are like my family now.”
While at KCS, Hu has been involved with the Knights basketball team, Cyber Patriots, Student Council and the National Honor Society.
“I have been a part of the basketball for four years,” he said. “And I have been in Student Council for three years, and am currently the president.”
While Hu has been on the basketball team all four years, he said one of his favorite memories was playing on the team as a freshman.
His favorite scripture is Matthew 20:16, “So those who
are last now will be first
then, and those who are first will be last.”
Hu plans to attend Boston University this fall with a focus on general atudies, after which he plans to attend medical school.
Knoxville Christian School did not name a salutatorian this year, according to Chase Caples, the school’s director of marketing and public relations.
