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Zhenbang Li

Biography

Highlights of Young Scholar Experience: Zhenbang “Brian” Li said becoming a Young Scholar “is definitely the greatest thing that has ever happened in my life.” Brian jumped at the many opportunities to study and travel during the summer and attended programs on art, civics, English literature, architecture and engineering at Stanford, Brown, the Choate School and elsewhere. “As a Young Scholar over the past four years, I have had many wonderful experiences that have changed and shaped the person I am today.” 

Profile: Brian is a beloved and admired member of Houston’s Memorial High School Class of 2011.  The gracious young man topped the honors list at Memorial and shared his enthusiasm for life and art with his peers in several extracurricular activities. He is grateful to his parents for the opportunities he has had to thrive as a new Texan. “I would not be where I am today if it were not for my parents. When I was ten years old, my parents sacrificed everything to move to America to give me a better education,” said Brian.  His parents recognized Brian had a special gift for art and drawing, even as a little boy, so the decision was made to come to America. Brian also knows it is important to give back to society and has volunteered at the Houston Chinese Civic Center and Community Center and helped out at his local library. 

Inspiration: In addition to his parents, Brian said a teacher at his art course at Brown University will forever be an inspiration to him.  That teacher, Daniel Stupar, told Brian to take a chance with his art and never to forget that it should be fun.  

Aspiration: Lots of possibilities for Brian right now ...architecture, engineering, teaching, professional artist ...and perhaps a combination of all four. 

Making a Difference: In middle school as a last-minute assignment over Thanksgiving break, Brian’s art teacher asked him to enter a painting into an upcoming competition.  “Painting something at the last minute was not on the top of my list of things to do during Thanksgiving. However, my ardently supportive parents ‘convinced’ me do it,” Brian recalled. “Even though I wasn’t completely psyched about working for 10 hours a day, once my hands started moving, I could not stop. By the end of the exhausting week, I was proud of the painting I finished.” Brian titled his first ever oil painting “Golden Age” and the work won him a local award. 

Accolades: Winning the annual Gold Key Award for Scholastic Art and Writing has gotten to be a routine for Brian.  He won it each year from 2007 through 2011.  The talented young artist won several other state and regional contests as well. 

Interesting Fact: When asked if there was a pivotal moment in his life that affected his career or academic choice, Brian thought about it, and gave this honest answer: “I hope I am not the only person to say no... there might be one (pivotal moment) in the future though…”

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