Physically, besides our Chinese complexion, there’s one characteristic that has defined the Wei family: hair. Lots of it. I tie my bushy ponytail with two actual rubber bands, because normal hair-ties keep breaking—and still, it whacks my face when playing tennis. My brother never wears shorts on first dates, to hide his hairy legs. And since I was young, I’ve loved ruffling my mom’s abundant hair. That changed my junior year, when my mom came home...

When I saw the iconic photo of Alan Kurdi washed ashore, I cried. After class, I stayed behind with my friend Meghana, trying to grasp the complexities of the Syrian Refugee Crisis, wishing we could do something. Online, Meghana and I discovered Paper Airplanes: a non-profit that connects students with Syrian refugees to tutor. We established Lynbrook’s chapter, inviting students to join through social media. Twenty committed to help. Through Paper Airplanes, I tutored a 17-year-old Syrian refugee living...

My junior year, creative problem solving took on a new meaning for me when my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. To help with the challenges arising from her chemotherapy, I found solutions with creativity and love. Chemotherapy killed my mom’s taste buds, and her once-favorite foods became difficult to swallow. I knew she needed her nutrition; I thought, if she were to try foods that she hasn’t eaten before, she would have no prior expectation of their...

I’m fascinated by the interdisciplinary potential of computer science. Beyond data structures and algorithms, it’s about solving problems creatively. When I entered high school, I started teaching myself through MIT’s OpenCourseWare, working my way through problem sets with Python. In sophomore year, I took C++ courses at Foothill College. In addition to teaching me about object-oriented programming and pointers, my professor introduced me to the 3 P’s: Patience, Practice, and Perseverance. Today, I strive to use the 3...

As a student journalist, I’ve learned that every person has a meaningful story to tell. Sharing and listening to stories can make us more open-minded, compassionate, and understanding of the people and the world around us. I seek out the stories of others, listening and sharing them with compassion. Stories bring awareness and create tangible change. My co-editor and I filmed a documentary on the wave of youth activism following the Parkland shooting to capture this movement for our...

Although I joined the school newspaper on a whim and had previously planned to take AP Computer Science, journalism has become a core part of the person I am today. To me, journalism is a way to see the world with curiosity and compassion. Everyone has a story, and journalism allows me to hear those stories — to learn more about the people around me and be inspired by them. Journalism tells people, “Your story matters,” and I want to be...

It’s Tuesday lunch. My club officers and I begin with a presentation about spicing up grammar lessons for English learners. Then, the classroom lights up with discussion, each tutor sharing about their student. “He’s so motivated!” says Sanjana, describing her 17-year-old student who wants to fight for peace in Syria. Zahra poses a question; her student from Saudi Arabia speaks Arabic during lessons because she is afraid to make mistakes in English. “What do you guys think I...

Why that College or School? Computer science isn’t just writing code to create a project; it’s a way of assessing problems and devising solutions for them. This way of thinking — of breaking large problems into smaller, manageable pieces that can be solved by teams of people, of constantly coming up with ways to improve — can be applied to so many fields, from medicine to education to journalism. At the University of Michigan, I hope to double major in...

Idea or experience that makes you excited about learning I stared at Big Hero 6 on the screen, a substitute teacher’s attempt to control a class of 8th graders. Fascinated by futuristic San Fransokyo, I fell in love with Baymax and the way he could help others—with super strength and knowledge about every medical procedure. That day I knew I wanted to learn computer science: to push possibilities like Tadashi, Baymax’s designer, to create something to help people...

Note to future roommate Dear Roommate, To me, mornings and nights are special, and I’m so excited to share these times of the day with you! Mornings are filled with possibility—a chance to build upon who you were yesterday—and nights are a chance to reflect. Both are times to appreciate the present. I started morning runs this year. Will you join me? A friend created a workout for his sports science class, and one for me too....

Something meaningful to you and why “I overdosed on purpose,” he* said, “When I woke up in the hospital, I saw my mom crying next to me. I finally realized life is worth living.” I sat next to him, listening intently. In that moment, there was no one more important. HIs words reminded me that every person is a world in itself, wrapped in stories, experiences, and emotions, that, when shared with another person, gives them a new perspective. His...

I stared at Big Hero 6 on the screen, a substitute teacher’s attempt to control a class of 8th graders. Fascinated by futuristic San Fransokyo, I fell in love with Baymax and the way he could help others—with super strength and knowledge about every medical procedure. That day I knew I wanted to learn computer science: to push possibilities like Tadashi, Baymax’s designer, to create something to help people in ways never before imagined. When my mom was...

Dear Roommate, To me, mornings and nights are special, and I’m so excited to share these times of the day with you! Mornings are filled with possibility—a chance to build upon who you were yesterday—and nights are a chance to reflect. Both are times to appreciate the present. I started morning runs this year. Will you join me? A friend created a workout for his sports science class, and one for me too. His random idea made...

“I overdosed on purpose,” he said, “When I woke up in the hospital, I saw my mom crying next to me. I finally realized life is worth living.” I sat next to him, listening intently. In that moment, there was no one more important. His words reminded me that every person is a world in itself, wrapped in stories, experiences, and emotions, that, when shared with another person, gives them a new perspective. His world affirmed the importance of empathy...

In world history class, when I saw the iconic photo of little Alan Kurdi and his small shoes, I cried. After class, a friend and I stayed behind for hours talking to our teacher about the Syrian Refugee Crisis and its complexities, wishing we could help. We then created the Lynbrook chapter of Paper Airplanes, which pairs students with refugees to tutor. I tutored a 17-year-old Syrian refugee living in Turkey. I used empathy to guide my teaching, hoping that...

Although I joined the school newspaper on a whim and had previously planned to take AP Computer Science, journalism has become a core part of the person I am today. To me, journalism is a way to see the world with curiosity and compassion. Everyone has a story, and journalism allows me to hear those stories — to learn more about the people around me and be inspired by them. Journalism tells people, “Your story matters,” and I want to be...

It’s Tuesday lunch. My club officers and I begin with a presentation about spicing up grammar lessons for English learners. Then, the classroom lights up with discussion, each tutor sharing about their student. “He’s so motivated!” says Sanjana, describing her 17-year-old student who wants to fight for peace in Syria. Zahra poses a question; her student from Saudi Arabia speaks Arabic during lessons because she is afraid to make mistakes in English. “What do you guys think I...

Computer science isn’t just writing code to create a project; it’s a way of assessing problems and devising solutions for them. This way of thinking — of breaking large problems into smaller, manageable pieces that can be solved by teams of people, of constantly coming up with ways to improve — can be applied to so many fields, from medicine to education to journalism. At the University of Michigan, I hope to double major in computer science and communications to...

“I overdosed on purpose,” he said, “When I woke up in the hospital, I saw my mom crying next to me. I finally realized life is worth living.” I sat next to him, listening intently. In that moment, there was no one more important. He told me about his struggles with depression, the loneliness he felt when others judged him. His words reminded me that every person is a world in itself, wrapped in stories, experiences, and emotions, that, when...

Lack of understanding divides us, which leads to discrimination and judgement of others. Truth often has multiple facets, yet most see just their own. By treating others with respect and taking time to understand instead of attacking others’ viewpoints, we can help each other grow.

Ed Daly is taking matters in his own hands, and I want to see it. The flight attendants and I carry 57 orphans onto this unsanctioned flight. When we arrive in California from Vietnam, President Ford announces he’s going to do more. This act of passion catalyzes a movement—Operation Babylift.

Compassionate, determined, optimistic, confident, appreciative