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Kevin Kim

Biography

Highlights of Young Scholar Experience: Kevin Kim dove into the Young Scholar experience head first and gave it 100% while still maintaining his studies and school-related extracurricular activities.   When asked how and why he became a Scholar, Kevin quoted Thomas Jefferson who said: "I'm a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it.”  The quote served Kevin well.  “As I put in all my effort to accomplish my goals, luck stepped in to hand me numerous opportunities, which I grabbed immediately. Whenever I found something that interested me, I dedicated my time and effort as I struggled to be the best at it.” Luck (in the form of the Foundation in Kevin’s case) allowed him to attend math, science and film programs at prestigious universities across the country. 

Profile: Students come from around the world to study film and learn from the best at the Northwestern University. A brilliant student at North Hollywood High School, Kevin also gave his time freely to various community service organizations and political causes.  If there was something happening at North Hollywood High, chances were good Kevin was involved.  Kevin didn’t always want to have a career in the film business.  After witnessing his father recover from a serious illness, Kevin thought medicine was in his future and in preparation he worked extra hard in science and math classes.  But on a leap of faith Kevin attended the New York Film Academy with the support of the Foundation. “The experience I gained from this summer program completely flipped my career ambitions from a medical standpoint into an artistic one.” 

Inspiration: During a time of particular financial hardship when Kevin’s dad was ill and his mother was forced to close the family business, his education was not sacrificed.  “Even during this hard time, my mother always tried her best to provide the best education for me.” 

Aspiration:  The transition from future physician to future filmmaker is complete.  Kevin’s convinced that his life will be best served behind the camera. 

Making a Difference: Scanning Kevin’s resume one finds a myriad of service projects that he gladly gave his time to . . . from working with young boys and girls in a Youth Olympics Project to packaging lunches for the homeless of San Gabriel County to beach clean-ups. 

Accolades:  A National Merit Finalist, Kevin also earned a designation as an AP Scholar with Distinction and was also recognized for his volunteer efforts by the local U.S. Representative. 

Interesting Fact: There was a point in Kevin’s life when he wanted nothing more than to become a professional gamer (video games). “However,” Kevin said, “this unlikely dream has been pushed off to the side because I do not have the time to dedicate my life to playing games.” 

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