Congratulations to the class of 2011. These are the Rowland High School Senior Spotlights.
1. Rita Yi Ju Tuan, Rowland High School Valedictorian and International Baccalaureate Graduate
Involved in California Scholarship Federation & National Honor Society; President of Math Club and Science Olympiad; member of Academic Decathlon
College Attending: UC Berkeley Major: Engineering
Awards: RUSD Mathematics Scholarship, Michael Koyfman Memorial Scholarship, and RHS Science and Mathematics Department Awards, Bilingual Competency Award, RHS Student of the Month-September.
“I arrived here from Taiwan in the first grade and attended Killian Elementary, then Alvarado. I am the first person in my family to attend a 4-year university in the U.S. I really wanted the experience of a big school with more opportunities. My relatives in Taiwan are so proud since Berkeley is so renowned!”
Favorite Teacher: “Mr. Koyfman is a really special teacher because I had him for three years in math. It helped me to develop a nice relationship with him and we came to know each other well – he is a huge inspiration to me.”
Favorite Memory: “My freshman and sophomore year, band was the major thing of my high school life! A big achievement for me was in my junior year when I became involved in the Science Olympiad and became the founder of the club.”
2. Eric Kang, Rowland High School International Baccalaureate Graduate
Active in ASB; president of the California Scholarship Federation, member of the National Honor Society, and Link Crew; was chosen to represent Rowland at West Covina Chamber of Commerce Power Luncheon, attended the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards Conference last year.
College Attending: UCLA
Favorite Teacher: “I can’t limit myself to one – my ASB Advisor Leslie Phillips is one of the most influential persons in my life. She is always very supportive and gives her 100% both in and out of the classroom. She is truly amazing and inspiring. Mr. Hiett, Honors English, was one of the hardest classes I took as a sophomore. I learned a lot from him and since he was the CSF Advisor, he really helped me in my office positions. He is very proactive in our activities and is one of my favorites.”
What would you say about IB? “Being an IB student, I feel I was really put to the test balancing extra curricular activities and academics. I learned to prioritize every deadline and organize what needed to be accomplished first. IB is not for the top A students, it is for the students who have the dedication, determination and the will power to go through the intense, yet rewarding program.”
3. Courtney King, Rowland High School International Baccalaureate Graduate
College Attending: Spelman College, a private, independent, liberal arts, historically Black college for women, founded in 1881 in Atlanta, Georgia Major: Pre-Law, Minor in Business
“I grew up here in Rowland Heights my whole life and Spelman College was in my top 5 choices for colleges. I knew it would be good for me to experience a new culture, meet new people, and be in a new environment. My parents understand that it is a really good college, but they are sad I will be so far away!”
Favorite Memory: “I was involved all four years of high school in cheerleading along with the IB program. My junior year was really important to me because I matured and really focused on my future and where I wanted to go to college.”
Favorite Teacher: “Mr. Petersen, my government & economics teacher during my sophomore year, would have to be my favorite teacher. I loved his class! His teaching style made debating fun, especially since he is a conservative republican and I'm a liberal democrat! The class was so fun and engaging, and I would take it again if I could!”
4. Simon Wu, Rowland High School International Baccalaureate Graduate
President of Key Club; Co-Founder & Co-President of Vietnamese Club; Treasurer of Envirosci Club; Senior Representative of IBA Club; member of Track & Field and Water Polo teams; AP Scholar with honors; Top 10 of the class
College Attending: Regents Scholarship to the University of the Pacific Major: Pre-Dentistry 3+3
Favorite Teacher: “My most influential teacher and figure in my life so far is Mr. Ludlam, the teacher of AP U.S. History. I used to be mediocre with history, but after I took his class, I viewed history as one of my strong points. I really enjoyed the class, it was really tough and different from anything I have experienced and I felt I really retained a wealth of information. When I was inducted into National Honor Society, he gave me a present -- a piece of the Berlin Wall. He was my academic advisor in IB and my Extended Essay was on the Berlin Wall. I was really shocked and touched.”
Favorite Memory: “I would say Freshmen Year was the best year I've had at Rowland. In Freshmen year, everything was so new and exciting. I have been involved in Key Club since Freshmen Year. I even dedicated one of my personal statements to Key Club when applying for colleges since it made such an impact in my life. The service they do is so inspiring. I am planning on joining Circle K when I get to college.”