Christopher Zaiser, 2016-17 Diman Scholar
Christopher Zaiser, an eighth-grade student at Far Hills Country Day School, in Far Hills, NJ, has been named Portsmouth Abbey's 2016-17 Diman Scholar, which will provide him with a full, four-year scholarship to the Abbey beginning in September 2016.
A consistent high-honors student, Christopher is very involved in school activities: he is an editor of the Far Hills Country Day literary magazine, Collectors' Items; an avid fencer and co-captain of the Far Hills Fencing Team; and this past winter played the role of Ren, the lead character in his school's production of "Footloose."
Outside of school, Christopher is a pitcher for his county's youth baseball major's team and Summer All-Star League. He loves to write, was the recipient of a Silver Key in Writing in the 2015 New Jersey Scholastic Arts & Writing Awards, and was a contestant in his school's and county's National Geographic Bee this year. At Portsmouth Abbey, Christopher plans to play football, squash, and baseball and hopes to write for the Beacon or Raven. He also would like to join the Debate Club and Robotics Club.
"When I first set foot on the Abbey campus, I immediately noticed the friendship between students," said Christopher. "The Abbey is not only an academically strong school, it possesses a unique sense of community, which I think both sets it apart from other schools and is what drove me there. In addition, the beautiful campus and top-notch facilities really appealed to me. When I arrive on campus next September, I look forward to being a part of that community and the independence that I will have."
Mr. Ed Thompson, director of secondary school counseling at Far Hills, said, "I couldn't be happier for Christopher and for Portsmouth Abbey. We have an exciting four years to watch Christopher's curiosity and ambition take root and flourish at a school committed to helping young people grow in knowledge and grace. The Portsmouth Abbey community is welcoming a young man devoted to the people around him and who will leave behind a big footprint."
The Diman Scholarship, named for Portsmouth Abbey's founder and first headmaster, Rev. Dom Hugh Diman, is the most prestigious merit-based scholarship offered by the School. It is awarded each year to an incoming Third Form boarding student, includes tuition, room and board, and is for the recipient's entire Abbey career. Christopher was selected from over 500 applicants to receive this honor.
He is the son of Georgia and Robert Zaiser of Far Hills.
Congratulations, Christopher; we look forward to welcoming you to the Abbey community in September!