Emily has been busy with many activities and projects since we last caught up with her. She has been attending the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA) since Fall of 2019. While there she attended a homecoming pep rally, dance, a Lunar New Year Festival, and carnival with friends.
She has also been performing community service while at IMSA. “As a graduation requirement, IMSA requires 200 hours of service. During the first two weeks, it is mandatory for sophomores help local areas around IMSA. I was assigned to help in a lake park to cut down tall weeds that covered the park,” Emily explains.
As an extra-curricular leadership activity, Emily is serving as Logistics Director for the Sophomore Class Club. “Sophomore Class Club’s main goal is to raise money for the prom in senior year, represent the sophomore class, and be responsible for sophomore privileges. As the logistics director, I am in charge of keeping track of our budget and coming up with ideas to maximize the budget,” Emily adds.
Earlier this year, Emily won the First Place Award in Public Speaking at the 2020 Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) conference.
Emily was also elected to serve on the Peer Multicultural Educators board. “IMSA emphasizes and promotes diversity. I was elected as one of PME board members. The PME board members are responsible to make sure that everyone feels equally safe and equitable,” Emily reports.
In February, Emily received a Verbal Accommodation Award in the debate competition at MUNUC. “This year at MUNUC (sponsored by University of Chicago), I attended as a delegate of ‘Nicaragua’ country. I also participated in the debate at DOSC (Disarmament & International Security Committee), which consists of approximately 200 participants from all the countries. As a result, my partner and I received Verbal Accommodation Award (Public Debate Award),” Emily says.
In March, she served as Assistant Chair of the Junior High Math Contest sponsored by IMSA. “The Junior High Math Contest (JHMC), sponsored by IMSA, is the premier math competition for middle school students in the state of Illinois with a long history. This contest is organized by a few organizing committees representing IMSA students from each grade level. I was elected as a sophomore representative for the committee. IMSA hosts Junior High Math competition (JHMC) including more than 200 schools. This year, as an Assistant Chair, I helped organize the competition and was in charge of grading all the problems at the 30th Annual Contest on March 4, 2020,” Emily explains.
Representing IMSA, Emily attended the Science Olympiad Competition with her partners where the team won multiple medals. She also participated in the “Clash of the Halls” at IMSA. “At IMSA, clash is one of the biggest events on campus. It is a competition between each of 7 dormitory halls through games, riddles, talents, and dance. Its purpose is to bring hall unity together and get to know each other,” Emily says.
Multi-talented Emily also serves as Assistant Concertmaster for the IMSA Orchestra and is leader of Chamber Music, playing first violin. This year, she attended the Illinois Music Education Association (ILMEA) Conference, auditioned and qualified to play in the ILMEA orchestra. She recently attended the Illinois High School Association music competition and received the Best Player Award in violin solo.
Since 2015, Emily has attended the National Federation of Music Clubs (NFMC) in violin and piano categories. “This year, I played the violin concerto in Senior Level and piano solo/concerto in Musically Advanced Level, and received SUPERIOR ratings so I will receive the golden cups in piano and violin concert categories in this May. The golden cup is awarded to students who receive a superior rank (over 95 points) for two consecutive years at a violin concert or piano concerto,” Emily reports.
Emily also utilizes her talent in music to serve the community. “Although I moved to IMSA, whenever I come back home in Carbondale, we have played the violin duet at Grace United Methodist Church. Also, whenever my mom went up to Aurora, we have played the duet at one church (Korean West Alliance Church) in Naperville. Also, I have taught Violin lessons to 15 IMSA students for a volunteer work,” Emily says.
Most recently, Emily and her sister Cuty had a surprise visit from Mr. Barnard, President of the Illinois Federation of Music Clubs. “He wanted to let us know that at the 2020 State Concerto Competition last March, I won the First Place award on the violin (with $500). My younger sister, Cuty won the Second Place award on the violin (with $350), and the Third Place award on the piano (with $200). From Springfield, he came to our home in order to deliver the award certificates and the award paychecks directly due to COVID 19. We very much appreciated it,” Emily says.
Great work Emily!
