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That's why they were not surprised to learn White earned one of 2,500 National Merit Scholarships, which gives graduating seniors $2,500 toward college. Students from across the country are evaluated on their academic records, scores on standardized tests and leadership in school and community activities.
White, the only recipient in Beaufort County this year, is 17 and speaks French, Spanish and Mandarin Chinese. His aptitude for mathematics is so great, he receives one-on-one tutoring in differential equations instead of attending regular math classes.
He swam competitively, learned to play piano and briefly studied Irish dance. He also enjoys playing tennis.
White is president of the leadership council and volunteers with the Neighborhood Outreach Connection, formerly the Latin American Council.
He's also this year's valedictorian.
"He's shown ... this school the rebirth of investment in knowledge and commitment to service," said Gloria Shoemaker, a co-head of Heritage.
At the academy, students spend half the day in academic classes and half practicing their passion.
When White enrolled as an eighth-grader, he pursued competitive swimming, but over the years, his interests shifted to math and languages.
He plans to attend Princeton in the fall and is interested in the Ivy League college's math and East Asian studies programs.
His interest in Asian culture began when Chinese was offered for a semester at Heritage. He continued to learn the language and participated last summer in an immersion program through China's Yunnan University.
White hopes to return to China as a college student and possibly as a working professional.
"I'd like to do something where I could travel, work in China or another foreign country," he said. "My main goal is to have fun as opposed to making money."
White's teachers said he will be successful regardless of what he studies.
"He's as good a student as I could possibly find," said Ted Zawacki, an Advanced Placement government and history teacher. " ... He made me a better teacher because I always wanted to challenge him."
