VHHS’s top seniors ready for next step
Vestavia Voice interviewed the top four seniors of Vestavia Hills High School about their high school years and their future plans.
Wendy Feng
Age: 18 GPA: 4.77
Activities: Volleyball, Math Team, Debate Team, HOPE Club and Relay for Life
What do you remember most about freshman year?
I will never forget my geometry teacher’s fudgy brownie wedges. We’ve been asking for her baked goods ever since freshmen year.
What will walking across that stage mean to you?
For me, walking across that stage represents a transition from being closely cared for by family and teachers to being independent and beginning a new stage in my life (pun intended).
Song that defines/represents your high school career?
"Breakaway" by Kelly Clarkson
Who was your most inspirational teacher? Why?
My volleyball coach, Coach Burgess. She taught me that we could be successful and make school history even though we were often criticized for being “too short, too slow and just too advantaged” — and we did. Everything I learned from Coach Burgess could be translated to my life in the future.
What’s the study secret to your success?
Managing your time, balancing your schedule and remembering to get a good amount of sleep!
When you’re 50 and you look back at yourself as a teenager, what characteristic will you remember most?
My fear of procrastination. I tend to finish assignments as early as possible because I fear forgetting about them or not finishing them in time. This obviously helped my grade, but it made me very stressed at times.
What did you recently learn from someone younger than you?
I learned that it is okay to have crazy ideas and wild imagination.
What can aspiring grads learn from you?
They can learn to take advantage of every opportunity offered.
Have you chosen a college yet? Where do you want to go?
I have not made final decisions yet — I am choosing between Columbia University and Vanderbilt University.
What are your college and career aspirations?
I plan to be a research physician and work in the oncology/hematology field
What is one thing on your college application helps you stand out?
My extracurricular activities – particularly volleyball. I think college really like to see that students are not only being involved outside of the classroom, but also that they are dedicated to their clubs, sports, groups, etc.
What's your favorite quote?
“The best way to make your dreams come true is to wake up,” – Paul Valery
If you were going to be locked in a windowless room for one month, but could bring one movie to watch and one book to read, what would they be?
Movie: The Blind Side
Book: My Sister’s Keeper
What one object can you not live without?
My car
If you could go back in time, what year would you visit? Why?
1912 to witness the sinking of the Titanic. I’ve never seen the movie, so it would be pretty cool to witness it in person.
If the U.S. revoked your citizenship, where would you start your new life? Why?
Paris, France. J’adore la français!
If you were given $1,000,000 and forced to spend it in a day, what would you buy?
My own Starbucks coffee shop
Dogs or cats?
I have both a dog and a cat, and they’re both a hassle… I would have to say both!
Farhan Kahn
Age: 18 GPA 4.74
Activities: Debate Team, Math Team, Scholar’s Bowl, Economic Team, Chess Club and We the People
What’s do you remember most about freshman year?
Uhhhh…… Almost no homework?
What will walking across that stage mean to you?
Finally, I’m done with this place.
Song that defines/represents your high school career?
"King For A Day" by Pierce The Veil.
Who was your most inspirational teacher? Why?
Mr. Taylor—I’ve practically had him for four years.
What’s the study secret to your success?
Don’t study too hard.
When you’re 50 and you look back at yourself as a teenager, what characteristic will you remember most?
That I tried way too hard.
What did you recently learn from someone younger than you?
Focus on what you love.
What can aspiring grads learn from you?
Stay focused—fun comes with fulfilling work.
Have you chosen a college yet? Where do you want to go?
I plan on attending Duke University.
What are your college and career aspirations?
Eh, be a doctor? Do a lot of research?
What one thing on your college application helps you stand out?
Writing about fasting, maybe.
What's your favorite quote?
I am. I think. I will.—Anthem by Ayn Rand
If you were going to be locked in a windowless room for one month, but could bring one movie to watch and one book to read, what would they be?
A Game of Thrones and…. Ferris Bueller.
What one object can you not live without?
Water.
If you could go back in time, what year would you visit? Why? Really?
2012, to change where I applied. Nah.
If the U.S. revoked your citizenship, where would you start your new life? Why?
Here, because that is where all illegal immigrants come.
If you were given $1,000,000 and forced to spend it in a day, what would you buy?
A house.
Dogs or cats?
Dogs.
Evan Li
Age: 18 GPA: 4.76
Activities: Math Team, Key Club, Chess Club, Policy Debate, National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society
What’s do you remember most about freshman year?
The thrill and intimidation of adjusting to a new school.
What will walking across that stage mean to you?
A successful ending to my career in high school and the beginning of a new rode of life in college.
Song that defines/represents your high school career?
"Not Afraid" -Eminem
Who was your most inspirational teacher? Why?
Mr. Taylor for being able to successfully teach many different math classes and still have time to organize time for math team events.
What’s the study secret to your success?
Study smarter not harder, cliché but true.
When you’re 50 and you look back at yourself as a teenager, what characteristic will you remember most?
My normally quiet attitude towards people I don’t know very well, but coupled with my polar opposite attitude when I’m with my friends.
What did you recently learn from someone younger than you?
Kids are still cool today.
What can aspiring grads learn from you?
They are probably busier than me, so make sure to find time with friends and family.
Have you chosen a college yet? Where do you want to go?
Most likely Vanderbilt.
What are your college and career aspirations?
Premed track perhaps in neuroscience. As of now I wish to go to med school, but I realize that could possibly change in the future.
What one thing on your college application helps you stand out?
Shadowing several doctors and some research in the Cystic Fibrosis Department in UAB.
What's your favorite quote?
“Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt.” - Abraham Lincoln
If you were going to be locked in a windowless room for one month, but could bring one movie to watch and one book to read, what would they be?
The Dark Knight and any Stephen King novel (preferably a long one I haven’t read)
What one object can you not live without?
My computer
If you could go back in time, what year would you visit? Why?
1100s I guess because it would be cool to see knights fight for honor and glory and all that jazz.
If the U.S. revoked your citizenship, where would you start your new life? Why?
Canada because we speak the same language (I don’t think I would have time to learn another language), but they have funny accents.
If you were given $1,000,000 and forced to spend it in a day, what would you buy?
A Cessna Skycatcher
Dogs or cats?
Dogs obviously.
Botong Ma
Age: 16 GPA: 4.79
Activities: Math Team, Science Club, Mu Alpha Theta Honors Society, Scholar’s Bowl, French Club, French Honors Society, Economics Team/Bowl, Science Bowl, National Honors Society, Debate Team, Computer Club and UNA-USA
What’s do you remember most about freshman year?
I always got lost (for the first two or three weeks), and I was late to all my classes the first day (I walked into third period around 25 minutes after it started), and my locker got jammed three days in a row before I stopped putting my large binder inside. Oh, and everyone was taller than me.
What will walking across that stage mean to you?
I guess, it would mean the ending of one chapter of my life. So far, all I’ve known is the school system, with only hints and glimpses of the real world. Walking across that stage is like walking towards a new part of my life, crossing over into the part they call “grown-up”.
It’ll be like the beginning of an adventure
Song that defines/represents your high school career?
“I Made It”
Who was your most inspirational teacher? Why?
Mrs. Hacker. Despite personal tragedy, Mrs. Hacker remained strong and continued as our teacher. She can also run 10K races. She’s amazing. She’s also a really good writer and teacher. If we do something wrong, she fixes it and explains it to us.
What’s the study secret to your success?
Trying anyways, even if I think that it’s sort of improbable.
When you’re 50 and you look back at yourself as a teenager, what characteristic will you remember most?
I would remember my eagerness the most.
What did you recently learn from someone younger than you?
The proper way to do makeup.
What can aspiring grads learn from you?
Effort is the best way to be good at stuff.
Have you chosen a college yet? Where do you want to go?
Yes. I have been early accepted to MIT, and will be attending it fall 2013
What are your college and career aspirations?
I plan on learning as much as I can in college
What one thing on your college application helps you stand out?
I’m not too sure. I think maybe my piano playing in addition to math competitions.
I never put my age down as a factor, although I am the youngest in my grade – I’ll be 16 going to college.
What's your favorite quote?
“All life is an experiment.” - Emerson
If you were going to be locked in a windowless room for one month, but could bring one movie to watch and one book to read, what would they be?
Probably a math book that takes a month to finish, so I won’t get bored.
What one object can you not live without?
My computer, most likely.
If the U.S. revoked your citizenship, where would you start your new life? Why?
China, most likely. I can already speak Chinese, and can start teaching English to make money.
If you were given $1,000,000 and forced to spend it in a day, what would you buy?
Notebooks of all different variety, pencils, fancy mechanical pencils, pens, fancy pens, books, origami paper.
A house, maybe two.
A normal car.
Stocks. Lots and lots of stocks.
Clothing too.
Dogs or cats?
Cats