Quentin Ding discusses Model UN club, studying abroad, and more

Claire Cranford - Junior, Copy Editor | Feature

There’s a new club at Cookeville High School, and it is all thanks to the work of junior Quentin Ding.

When Quentin attended the Governor’s School in Memphis, his peers from all over Tennessee each had participated in a Model United Nations club at some point; an opportunity that, until now, had not been available at Cookeville High School.

“They all had the model UN at their homeschools in TN and we didn’t have anything like that in the Upper Cumberland. I wanted to extend that opportunity here because we have some bright students,” he said.

Not only is the club an excellent opportunity, but it also teaches students about real world diplomacy and practical political situations. “It’s an educational activity that introduces students into international issues, how to solve them, and fosters a sense of multiple perspectives because you adopt the role of a country you probably can’t point out on a map,” Quentin said.

But starting a club and attending Governor’s School for International studies are not the only impressive facts about Quentin. He is also studying abroad next summer in Nanjing, China, plans to get a career in elected office and politics, and, by January, plans to be working with the Putnam County Young Democrats in order to analyze data concerning the Fair Housing Act, part of the broader Civil Rights Act of ‘64.

“Housing and land and real estate in general are the biggest money makers,” he said. “The practice of redlining prohibits people for certain socio-economic groups from building wealth.”

Still, his school career has been nothing less than formidable. Sure, he may have been able to attend the Capshaw elementary school library and experience two kids fall from the ceiling of Avery Trace Middle, but nothing has shaped his school career quite like high school.

His favorite classes have been AP Human Geography because it is “very practical,” is relevant to his major, and “has real world uses.” That said, his other favorite class is AP Environmental Science, because besides being relevant, “I just really like Tony Stone, he’s a cool guy,” he said. “Really awesome mustache.”

Quentin’s words of advice are to “enjoy [high school], talk to your teachers, and don’t make a fool of yourself because you’ll need recommendations.”

And, ultimately, it does not matter what classes you take as long as you are happy and receive the opportunities you desire. Quentin said, “Advanced students are no better than others, nothing culturally superior.”

“You don’t need to have particular achievements like ‘Oh, I started a club’ or ‘oh, I won this award’ to keep going,” he said. “Know when to be serious but also when to have fun.”