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Yan Yan Hui

Biography

Highlights of Young Scholar Experience: Even at the ripe old age of 12, Yan Yan Hui knew what the word “prestige” meant, and both she and her family knew the prestige associated with being a Young Scholar could help in her educational journey. If Yan Yan (Chinese translation means “benevolence”) had to select one key highlight of her years associated with the Foundation, it would be the Advanced Mentorship Program. Being in constant contact with a specialist in a particular field was an “eye-opening” experience for the young Californian.

Profile: Yan Yan lives about twenty blocks from the Pacific Ocean near Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. Her commute by public transportation to San Francisco University High School means she must be outside early to catch a trolley. The cold wind off the ocean always helps clear any lingering cobwebs from her mind from the previous night’s slumber. Once she arrives at her school, which is located near the historic Presidio, it’s a whirlwind of activity for honor student and athlete Yan Yan who is seemingly involved in just about every activity imaginable. When the school day ends she is also an active volunteer and mentor with several organizations in the city. She loves science and physics and is in her element in a laboratory trying to figure out how and why things work and, sometimes, don’t work. Although born in the US, Yan Yan calls Cantonese her native language. One teacher said the most remarkable thing about Yan Yan is her unfailing enthusiasm.

Inspiration: An excellent swimmer, Yan Yan has been a mainstay for the University High “Devils”. Her swim coach taught Yan Yan more than just how to skim a few seconds off her match times. “He taught me to find something I love and pursue it whole-heartedly.”

Aspiration: The sciences await Yan Yan once her days at the University of San Diego are complete. Perhaps she’ll be a medical doctor, or a research scientist, or maybe even a college professor.

Making a Difference: Yan Yan spends hours and hours volunteering at a place that’s special to her, the San Francisco Boys & Girls Club. That’s where she learned to swim and every week she’s there teaching youngsters in the “Learn to Swim Program.” During one summer vacation Yan Yan got her first taste of teaching as she worked 50 hours a week teaching underserved children algebra and geometry.

Accolades: In 2008, Yan Yan was named the Volunteer of the Year by the San Francisco Boys & Girls Club. In school she received a Letter of Commendation from the National Merit Scholarship organization and a Regional Gold Key Award for her pen drawing “When will the sidewalk end?” Her junior year she was named a 1st Team All-League swimmer by the Bay Area Conference.

Interesting fact: She was born on New Year’s Eve.
 

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