A Milestone Year for Ramahl Ah Chee

What a year so far for Ramahl Ah Chee, Dilworth’s 2026 joint Deputy Head Prefect. 

The high-achieving student has earned a place in the coveted Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS) programme, a two-week academic enrichment program for the world’s most outstanding high school students. Not only that, but Yale has granted him an $11,000 financial aid package to fund the trip.

One of a handful of students in New Zealand to be selected for YYGS – and around 1950 globally - Ramahl will be on his way to Yale’s historic New Haven campus this July for a taste of residential and academic life at the esteemed Ivy League research university. He’s understandably thrilled. 

“You basically spend two weeks as a student at Yale’s campus. You eat in the dining halls, stay in the residential colleges, and have classes and lectures throughout the day. The best part is that you get to collaborate with high-achieving school students from all around the world, teaming up to develop a project and solve global challenges.  I’ll probably never think the same way again!”

Ramahl was out enjoying Mission Bay with a friend when he got the call to say he was among the 4-8% of applicants accepted into the programme.

“It felt rewarding, like everything I’ve done so far has led up to something that’s tangible. It’s also a good check mark – if they accept me onto this, it hopefully means I’m on the right track to getting accepted into the university for a full undergraduate program.”

That would be a dream come true for Ramahl, who has set his sights on studying political science, economics and law at Yale or Harvard. It won’t be easy, but then this young man has never viewed hard work as a deterrent. In fact, this year he’s throwing himself into everything from the University of Auckland Young Scholars Programme, Dilworth’s Tongan Group, a youth advisory panel for local Epsom MP and currently Deputy Prime Minister, David Seymour, as well as tackling Advanced Placement (AP) courses and SAT tests. 

He’s also aiming to undertake multiple NZQA Scholarships, with the aim of landing a Premier Scholar or Prime Minister’s Award. And he hasn’t forgotten about service, he also hopes to a hefty amount for Diabetes New Zealand! 

Ramahl’s dad, Rae Ah Chee, his long-time supporter, couldn’t be prouder. 

“I’m over the moon,” he says. “I’m so pleased because all the work he and I have done together, starting from when he was a tiny tot, has got him where he is today.” 

Rae has worked tirelessly to plant seeds of curiosity and foster a love of learning. He explains that he tried to turn everyday moments with Ramahl into lessons, from practising maths using car number plates while out driving, to injecting reading comprehension games into story times. 

Rae also credits Dilworth with extending Ramahl’s capabilities. 

“Dilworth is a standout school, and everything it instils in the boys is so special. The opportunities, and what you can learn and have built into you for the rest of your life, are unbelievable,” Rae said. 

Dilworth School is incredibly proud of Ramahl and his journey so far. We look forward to hearing all about his Yale experience and hope it will, in turn, inspire other students.

Congratulations Ramahl!