'She's good at everything': Stratford Academy's Sophia Tang following in her family's footsteps

Sophia Tang can dance, create unique art pieces, and knows her school subjects. Her teachers have often asked if there is something she can't do. 

Tang started going to Stratford Academy in the sixth grade. She says she has been involved in many extracurricular activities. 

"I've been a part of doing student council for all four years of my high school and this year. I'm the senior class president, and I've been doing key club all four years too." Tang said. 

The Class of 2023 salutatorian said the difficult years were ninth grade because that's when COVID started and her senior year because of college applications. 

Tang didn't know where she wanted to go because of the long list of schools. She got into Columbia University, Duke University, Georgia Tech's Stamps President's Scholar, and Augusta University. Her chosen school is the same school her older sisters go to. 

"I'm going to Augusta University as a 7-year BS.D.MD scholar," Tang said.

Tang says she's close with her family and enjoys being around her family. 

"I feel like having a close bond with your family is important," Tang said. 

The Stratford graduate has even swooned her teachers with her different skills. Her math teacher Bobby Stecher says Tang played the piano at his wedding, but her musical talents go far beyond playing piano. 

"I've been a part of the Nutcracker of Middle Georgia for a few years now, and that's really great because being able to perform for a wider audience in the community has been an amazing feat," Tang said. 

Her favorite extracurricular is painting. She's won in the Georgia Kiwanis and Macon Kiwanis art competitions. 

The biggest art project she did was in 11th grade. She was a part of the art show 'Touchable Perception' where the pieces she made were displayed at the Macon Art Alliance for students from the Georgia Academy for the Blind.

It's a "community-based and community-driven art tactile art gallery of translations of famous paintings," and the project came into play during her junior year. She thought about creating art pieces where the students who were blind could feel the art pieces. Her mentor Mark Ballard helped her put it together.

"It was a really special project to me because I was able to learn how to use my own experiences, my own knowledge, and what I know to help my community," Tang said.

She's won seven straight superiors in the festivals of the Georgia Federations of Music Clubs with Susan McDuffie.

Tang says her junior year was her most enjoyable because she liked her classes and will miss the camaraderie.

"I think the one thing that I really love about Stratford is the type of community aspect we have here and the vibes."

Tange says she wishes he had taken it a little easier during high school and maybe gotten more sleep. With an overload of college applications and extracurricular activities, Tang has some advice to students headed to high school.

"Find a group of people who you can surround yourself with it. It can be teachers; they can be friends, mentors, your parents, anyone like that who will always be there to lift you up."