Frozan Omar is on her way to China in June after winning an international essay contest. By Cathleen Twardzik A Somerville High School junior is on her way to China in June after winning an international essay contest. Frozan Omar was one of 20 winners from over 700 applicants for the scholarship. For 10 days, she will go on a free educational tour of China. Ten high school sophomores and juniors were selected from the United States and ten from India. In response to the scholarship's prompt, "How could spending 14,000 minutes of your life on a tour to China equip you with superior communication, leadership and critical thinking skills? What future opportunities could become available to you, as a result?," Omar, who originally hails from Afghanistan, elaborated on how her experience of living in Afghanistan, Pakistan and the United States has forced her to concentrate on her communication, critical thinking and leadership skills.

Omar included the importance of education, as well as her goal of earning her college degree, so that she may return to Afghanistan, in the future, to assist in the rebuilding of her war-torn country.

In her essay, Omar said, "This trip to China would help me reach my goals. One of my goals is to open a school or a hospital in a poor country, someday."

Omar and her family entered the United States six years ago, as refugees from Afghanistan and Pakistan, according to the Somerville High School History and Social Studies Department's web site. At first, her family resided in Boston, but they relocated to Somerville, as her eighth grade year drew to a close.

Omar is enrolled in the Health Careers Program, and plans to apply to college in a registered nursing program.