Eleine Sun

Steam

“Besides my passion for volunteering and animals, I tend to challenge ideas and information around me. The existentialist in me cannot let any fact rest without questioning; much of the information around us is often an opinion, one agreed on by the majority, or just the influential.”

  • Program: 2008 College Scholarship Recipient
  • Resides: Morganton, NC
  • Hometown: Bei Jing, China
  • Age: 21

Biography

HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUNG SCHOLAR EXPERIENCE: With the support of the Foundation, Elaine was able to explore the field she fell in love with: fashion design and construction at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She spent two summers at Duke University’s Talent Identification Program, where her studies included existentialism and JAVA for video games. She also enjoyed the Advanced Mentorship Program at Brown University. “Not only did I have a lot of fun with the other Scholars, I learned a great deal from both my and the other mentors.”
PROFILE: Recently diagnosed with a rare genetic auto-immune disease, Eleine has had to carefully manage her health while pursuing her passion for art and design. “With the huge workload at the Asheville School, I have had to learn to carefully balance sleep, diet, and working so my health does not become fragile.” Her pivotal moment came when she discovered the paintings of Linda Bergkvist. This prompted her to explore beyond her love of fashion design and construction into the field of digital painting. An achievement Eleine is most proud of is the creation of her first garment—a skirt that is knee length in front and floor length in the back.
INSPIRATION: Eleine has been most influenced by her mother. “I have never known anyone more motivated and more persevering. She has taught me that if I want something done, I have to do everything in my power to do it.”
ASPIRATION: Eleine would like to explore her interests in illustration, graphic design, and programming.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Eleine volunteers with the Mitchell Cabinet, an organization that plans activities and raises funds for communities in need. She helps animals at the Humane Society of Burke County and has helped to clean local highways through Adopt-A-Highway. She has also sewn pajamas for orphans in Mexico.
ACCOLADES: Eleine has received high academic honors each semester since 2004 and is a National Merit Scholarship Finalist. She received a Gold Key Award and two Silver Key Awards from the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers for her outstanding paintings.
INTERESTING FACT: Eleine speaks Chinese, English, and French.

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