SASOLBURG – Trey van Schalkwyk’s fascination with fluid dynamics and how things work was already turning heads at the Eskom Expo while he was a learner at North Primary.

Today, the Grade Nine learner from Sasolburg High School has earned a spot among South Africa’s Top 1 000 achievers, securing a place on the prestigious 12th annual STADIO Academic Achievers Tour.

Out of four country options, Trey set his sights on the US East Coast for September/October 2027.

The upcoming itinerary reads like an academic dream: private lectures at world-renowned institutions including MIT, Harvard, Yale, Columbia, and Princeton, alongside visits to historic landmarks across New York City, Boston, and Washington DC.

Adding to the excitement (and a few nerve-wracking moments), this will be Trey’s very first trip abroad without his parents.

“As parents, we are overwhelmed with pride,” says Natasha, a document consultant, and Rowan, a construction supervisor.

“This is an absolute dream come true for him. He certainly didn’t get his love for science from us, but his natural curiosity has driven him from day one.

“Although the financial target is a significant challenge, we will do everything in our power as a family to ensure he gets this international exposure.”

Beyond the science lab, Trey is a well-rounded teenager.

He’s a competitive chess player, an avid baker, and a passionate gamer.

His siblings, Ashlyn and Decklyn, are right alongside their parents as his biggest cheerleaders.

To turn this life-changing experience into reality, the family has launched a fundraising campaign on BackaBuddy to cover the R91 890 required for flights, accommodation, meals, visas, and tour fees.

Click on the link below to support Trey.

Free-State On The Map!! | BackaBuddy