Grade: 11

Family: I have a younger brother Hanming, and my mom and dad are Ying and Zhiyuan respectively.

Favorite subject: Usually math. I grew up in a family big on STEM and problem-solving. I did math competitions in middle school, and I’ve always loved math! This year, APUSH; I think the content is so incredibly relevant and interesting! (Shoutout to my APUSH CLASS; I love them.)

Activities: At school I run cross-country and track, sing in Chorale, Chamber Singers and Coda Red. I have been my class treasurer since freshman year, and am a member of DECA, TSA and the Asian Student Association! Outside of school, I teach two classes at the Lehigh Valley Huaxsia Chinese School and I’m an intern with the Brain Imaging and Computation Laboratory at Lehigh University.

Next steps: This is a big question, but I’m hoping to go on a glorious summer vacation the summer after senior year, and then college, for sure. Hopefully in a city ….and then maybe graduate school? I’m excited to keep learning!

Career goals: I’ve always really wanted to be a teacher, which I think is a profession people have to love and be dedicated to. So the goal right now is to help shape and impact students’ lives and inspire people the way my teachers have inspired me. No pressure!

Heroes: My parents. As you grow older you kind of realize your parents are just people too. Even so, they are both the kinds of humans I hope I can become. They have always supported me and had my growth and success in mind when making decisions, even when it wasn’t something I agreed with at the moment. They are both such amazing, smart and interesting people.

Hobbies: Reading, writing, gardening, and trying to find the perfect recipe for air fryer fries

Volunteer, community work: I teach Pre-Mathcounts and Speech and Debate at the Lehigh Valley Huaxia Chinese School.

Likes: My family, going to restaurants with friends, collecting CDs, cooking dinner, making playlists, and teaching!

Dislikes: People who are consistently inconsistent, excessive politeness and bell peppers.

Greatest accomplishment (so far): Winning a Gold Key for a poem I submitted to the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards!

Advice for peers: Remember to take time for yourself: high school can get really busy and stressful, especially in the later years! Remember to do things that you are interested in, try a new activity, or have a moment when you get overwhelmed and stressed out before it becomes too much!