Port Arthur’s Charles Brown Jr. has a lot going for him.

He recently graduated as Memorial High School’s salutatorian; he counts Bill Gates as his role model and he is already developing a phone application for a game.

Brown, who was named a Gates Memorial Scholar, said he is honored to be the recipient of the prestigious scholarship and plans to attend the University of Houston where he will major in computer engineering.

“Bill Gates is my role model,” Brown said. “And I feel this, computer engineering, will get me to my career goal.”

Brown grew up playing video games and said his favorite was Assassin’s Creed. Since he is in the development stages of his game app, he couldn’t give specifics about genre or storyline but feels a phone app is the best way to get the game out since not everyone owns a gaming system.

“I’ve always been interested in games and technology,” he said. “I remember gaming when I was in the first grade. My sister and me always played after school. I feel games can be part of my career.”

Brown has always been at or near the top of his class throughout his school years but it was when he ranked fourth in his fifth grade class he made it a goal to be at the top.

“From that day on I vowed to be at the top of the class,” he said.

He listed Spanish as the most difficult class, because “in order to pass I had to study.” The easiest, he added, was English because he enjoys writing essays and expressing himself.

While in high school Brown was a member of the National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, booster club, debate Club, student council, Parent-Teacher-Student Association, Word of Mouf, Key Club and Business Professionals of America.

Brown is the son of Tamika Bellard. His brother is Cade Brown, sister is Labreyah Bellard and grandmother is Dianne Brown.

Mary Meaux: 409-721-2429

Twitter: @MaryMeauxPANews