By: Gowri Sunil and Lydia Liu

Local Editor and PR Manager

Emma Jin is the kind of student who thrives on challenges. The sophomore takes on a demanding schedule, not because she has to, but to push herself academically. This year, she is taking seven classes: Pre-Calculus Honors, Chinese 4 Honors, Digital Photography, Chemistry, English 10 Honors, AP European History, and Spanish 3. When asked about her course choices, Jin responds, “I kind of wanted to challenge myself and take the most rigorous workload that I could.” Among all her classes, Chemistry stands out as her favorite because of its interactive nature. Describing what she enjoys most about chemistry, she says, “I like doing labs and studying like that. I love science.” Intending to finish both semesters with stellar grades, Jin relies immensely on organization, using planners and daily to-do lists to stay on track.

Alongside academics, volleyball plays a major role in Jin’s life. As a dedicated club and high school player, she constantly works to improve her skills and contribute to her team’s success. Jin explains, “I want to improve in my club, and I hope that our club can do well and go to nationals.” Balancing competitive athletics with an intense school workload is not easy, but Jin approaches this with focus, discipline, and determination, making her a standout sophomore.  

Away from the classroom and court, Jin pursues a variety of passions, from playing the piano — a hobby she began at five years old — to cooking and reading, which she hopes to continue doing for entertainment rather than just for school assignments. In addition to her current pastimes, Jin focuses her studies on working towards medical school, with the ultimate goal of becoming a plastic surgeon. She shares, “It’s the perfect mix of my two passions: science and beauty,” adding that “it would be a dream to start my own practice someday.”

Apart from her wide range of interests, Jin is also making an impact on the LGHS community through her new club, Students For Food Security. The club is dedicated to addressing food insecurity in the Bay Area, in which Jin notes, “There’s a misconception that everyone here has enough to eat, but about 10% of people in the Bay Area are food insecure and rely on food stamps. With recent SNAP cuts, many food banks are stretched to the limit, and neighborhoods are in crisis mode.” The club plans to run food drives, fundraisers, and volunteering initiatives to raise awareness for those in need. Jin aspires to create a club that will not only make a lasting change but also encourage a supportive environment where she hopes “everyone in the club will feel like we’re achieving something together and see the difference we can make as a team.”

While balancing academics, athletics, and community service, Jin takes on every challenge with enthusiasm and drive, striving not only to excel but also to make a meaningful impact on those around her.