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Stanford, CA 94309

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'Participants like Heather are our future,' says one of Heather's instructors. Wherever she goes, Heather seems to leave a positive imprint on the people around her. To all of her classes and activities, Heather applies her precise, systematic manner. Heather fully appreciates the stable upbringing her parents have provided her; she strives to give hope to those from less fortunate circumstances . She is active in the community, volunteering with inner city elementary children and volunteering her time to her church. Heather is passionate not only about her community, but also about her studies as well. She displays strong interests in history as well as math and the sciences that will prepare her for a career in engineering or medicine, her chosen fields.

Although Renee has only lived in the United States for four years, she has already established herself here with a confidence that takes most a lifetime to accomplish. Since her parents frequently stay in Hong Kong for economic and health reasons, she has learned to be independent through living by herself. Taking care of herself has taught Renee how to confront obstacles with prudence and maturity. Renee has a logical, quick mind and excels at mathematics and chemistry. She hopes to apply her chemistry knowledge to help solve and prevent environmental problems. Renee is a talented piano player, playing for twelve years. She uses piano both to relieve her from emotional stress and to help her to form closer bonds with friends that she shares her music with. Renee also enjoys singing, writing, meditating, listening to jazz, swimming, and hiking.

Growing up in a remote ex-mining town in northern California has left an indelible imprint on Kai's life. His wilderness surroundings inculcated an awe-struck attachment to the natural world, and this fascination spurred his interest in science. His environment soon became an integral component of his studies, and his way of life. At the young elementary school age, he had already spearheaded projects on overpopulation, atmospheric complications, and deforestation. Moreover, Kai had volunteered for projects on the California Salmon River long before environmentalism hit the mainstream. Kai's personality seems to reflect the tranquility of nature he admires, for he possesses a sensitivity uncommon for Participants his age. His love of the wilderness, coupled with his fervent desire to overcome economic obstacles and "change things," has led him to aspire to a career in environmental law. In addition to law, Kai in intrigued by the way in which the human brain responds to stimuli, and is anxious to explore related fields like Psychology.

Despite moving from Israel a little more than a year ago, Dana has quickly mastered an entirely foreign language - English - and has amassed impressive academic credentials. She tackles not only her class work, she consistently extends herself into her community, tutoring her fellow Participants and volunteering at a local nursing home. What immediately stands out about Dana is the amazing pace at which she has not only learned but excelled in verbal expression. She channels her ability into her high school debate team, and she hopes to use her skills in her future career, possibly as an environmental attorney. In particular, Dana plans to address the issues of pollution, hazardous waste, the greenhouse effect, and lead poisoning She has already furthered her goals by ambitiously enrolling in criminal law and Psychology classes at a local community college. In addition to her school and volunteer work, Dana spends her free time on photography, sports, and camping. Dana has had to overcome economic constraints and family instability, but she has done so with characteristic zeal and mental strength. These traits are sure to serve her well in whatever future path she takes.

Jessica's commitment to environmental science began as early as elementary school, when she and a group of other Participants, implemented a recycling program at her school. She is a student whose efforts will make a difference in environmental behavior in her community. She believes strongly in the importance of individual responsibility, stressing that the smallest efforts can make a difference. Professionally, Jessica is considering two major areas: Engineering and Law. Jessica grew up under circumstances that are hard to believe, given her current level of achievement and maturity. Jessica lived in an alcoholic/addicted single parent family, and was homeless for two years. Jessica has used this gritty experience as an opportunity for growth, and from it she has developed a commitment to helping people in similar situations and an unflinching drive to make something of herself. Participating in the Stanford Youth Environmental Science Program means a great deal to Jessica. "The people that grew up with me - like me - most of them aren't doing much with their lives," Jessica said upon hearing that SYESP accepted her for the 1995 session. She is profoundly grateful that she has been able to make the most of her experiences and grow into a different person because of them. "I've been a dreamer all my life," she says. This dreamer has the potential to transform her hopes into reality.

Gregory's family emigrated to the United States from Russia one year ago, and Gregory's accomplishments in that time are incredible. Although he is still refining his English, he possesses excellent communication skills; his critical thinking power is apparent regardless of what language he speaks. In Russia, Gregory invested a good deal of time in independent studies on environmental science, and he brought that passion for the environment with him to America. He has completed extensive research on the negative effects of hydroelectric power stations and the depletion of the ozone layer. Gregory approaches everything as if it were a research project, including his schoolwork, activities, hobbies and his participation in the SYESP. This determination and thoroughness are the traits that make him stand out from his peers.

Marini is an impassioned advocate for justice, and this extends well into the environmental field. Marini expresses concern about air pollution and deforestation, and she approaches these issues with an incisive, inquisitive mind. Just as importantly, her deep-rooted spirituality drives her to question the ethics of environmental degradation and the implications for children's futures. Marini's spirituality allows her to link the natural world to individual behavior. At the same time, it inspires her to help others and to push her beyond her own economic constraints. Marini dreams of becoming a doctor, as she seeks to heal others. She is also fascinated by science, since she is the type of enthusiastic student who never stops asking "why?". For this reason, she is sure to produce true change in whatever endeavor she undertakes.

Nhan has lived in the United States for seven years, but she has learned a great deal in that time. She has great respect for her parents, and wants to succeed in school to prove to them that she appreciates their sacrifices. Nhan's interest in the environment is fairly new, but strong. She has always been interested in engineering and intends to pursue a degree in environmental engineering. Nhan shows considerable commitment to her community; she offers her free time to volunteer in a hospital and works with a local environmental action group. Nhan is a conscientious, disciplined and responsible student who makes the best of all opportunities.

Tamarah describes herself as determined, but this is an understatement. She approaches life with responsibility, empathy and ambition. This seventeen-year-old combination of Dutch, Indonesian, Native American and African-American heritage approaches her studies with remarkable discipline. Her professional interests are as varied as her background; she wants to explore marine biology, genetics, pathology and research. Empathetic to children from low income backgrounds, she yearns to teach young people that they are special and can achieve. In each of her activities, Tamarah applies the same determination to excel. She currently coaches bowling and intends to improve her game enough to play at college level. She also volunteers at a local hospital and as a Tae Kwon Do instructor. Tamarah describes herself as having "an attitude like a burst of sunshine," and, like the sun, her temperament is not only bright, but also promising.

Bliss is an analytical, inquisitive student of science. Intrigued by the natural world around her, especially the chemical elements that compose the environment, she imbues her quantitative skills with a sense of social responsibility. The systematic destruction of our natural resources concerns Bliss the most, as well as the amount of waste that occurs globally. Bliss is a forward-thinking individual, for she is both passionate about the future of the environment and pragmatic in devising solutions. Bliss hopes to address these issues by refining her scientific skills, perhaps leading to a career as a chemist or biologist. She appreciates the beauty of nature, and enjoys her time outdoors as much as her time in the lab. Bliss's concern for and interest in the environment is an extension of her maturity as an individual. Despite an often unstable home life and economic constraints, she has persevered in her pursuit of academic excellence and has maximized every opportunity presented to her. She possesses the rare ability to contextualize events within the "big picture." She maintains that while the final product of her actions partly motivates her, it is the journey to her goal that she values the most. This valuable perspective will no doubt benefit her peers and the SYESP.

A critical thinker, Michael questions every assumption he encounters with unparalleled wit. This bright young man feels that much of his character is shaped by his favorite authors--Jack Kerouac, Piers Anthony, and Ernest Hemingway--whose literature he reads with zeal. His passion for literature drives him towards his aspiration of becoming an author, through which he can influence others as he has been influenced. Michael believes that people realize the importance of nature through personal experience, be it direct contact with nature or appreciation through literature, film, or art. Encounters with nature, he believes, instill awe in humans and force them to see the divinity of life and the importance of their own inspirations. Michael participated in SYESP again in 1996 as a student and became a staff member in 1998.

Although Ying has lived in the United States for only three years, he has taken full advantage of the academic and social opportunities offered to him here. As a student at Fresno High School, he has enrolled and excelled in the most rigorous curriculum available, including many honors classes. A native of Laos, Ying has achieved verbal and written fluency in Hmong, English, Chinese, Thai and Lao; and he shows strong commitment to improving his English. Despite being an immigrant, he displays fervent pride in his new country and yearns to understand and support democracy and freedom. Ying's family left Laos in 1979 for Thailand, where they lived until 1992. Living in a refugee camp while in Thailand as well relocating to America are experiences which have profoundly changed Ying's perspective on life. He expects to become an American citizen within two years and intends to earn his new status by serving his community. Ying's diverse professional interests, including law, economics and social sciences, reflect his curious intellect and desire to excel in many fields. He approaches environmental science with the drive he applies to all of his scholastic challenges, thoroughly exploring and then creatively looking for ways to improve the environmental issues affecting our society.

Emily has grown up in a rural town in Mendocino County, where she lives in a house completely powered with solar energy. The five solar panels on her rooftop provide for her family's electricity and water needs in a way quite unfamiliar to most urban dwellers, who take electric power lines for granted. The environmental problems of rural northern California differ from urban ones; her community faces the problems of logging and replanting trees, as well as the degradation caused by the increasing population in the area, issues of which she is well-aware. She plans to take advantage of SYESP's and Stanford's resources which she does not have, such as libraries, well-equipped labs, and the advantages of living in a large community of people in one house. She hopes to spread awareness about environmental problems, and she brings to SYESP an uncommon perspective on land and energy use. Emily has been working for environmental change since she was very young, and has been encouraged and motivated by the changes she has noticed. She hopes to help stop destruction of the environment and help repair the damage that has already been done.

A high-achieving Hispanic Carlmont High School student, Laurel leads organizations in her school and community, working on everything from beach clean-ups and letter writing campaigns to travelling to Denmark for an international Girl Scouts event. She puts tremendous effort into all of the responsibilities she takes on and communicates effectively with adults and peers in order to achieve her goals. As she has proven by her tireless commitment to scholastic and extracurricular activities, Laurel possesses maturity and independence rarely found in Participants her age. She profoundly understands many of the environmental issues facing her community, and is committed to alleviating them. Laurel plans a career in which she can satisfy her passions, math and science while incorporating her environmental interests.

Chris exhibits the remarkable ambition that the Stanford Youth Environmental Program encourages and rewards in young people. Chris participated in the program for the first time (the 1995 session is his second year) when he had only just completed his freshman year in high school. Chris is fond of the phrase: "Knowing is half the battle," but he never stops halfway. Chris constantly expands his knowledge by seeking practical applications of his ideas. For example, Chris .has lived near a lake for the past five years, and he has taken full advantage of the classroom it offers, teaching himself about freshwater ecology and the history of the lake. At school also, Chris seeks out educational opportunities beyond his teacher's expectations. Last year, he excelled in a computer programming course, which he took in his free time, in addition to his regular course load. Chris also tutors middle school children daily. Since he was a young child, Chris has pushed himself to succeed and achieve a high-powered professional career, despite his difficult home situation. Chris is well on his way to achieving this dream.

Luther is an incisive thinker and proponent of active social change. The urban Berkeley setting in which he lives gives him a keen appreciation of civil rights, crime issues, economic inequality, and the all-pervasive environmental hazards his town faces. His strong science background (with schoolwork full of Advanced Placement courses), coupled with extraordinarily lucid communication skills, makes him a natural leader in his community. His African-American heritage reminds him of the need for minority role models, and strives to be one himself. He has brought people together through such activities as the African-American Participants Association, he has served as vice-president of his class, and president of the California Scholarship Federation. Luther uses his financial disadvantage as a source of motivation, and with this level of determination he is sure to make a difference.

Choua is the type of student who sets impossibly high standards for himself, and then goes on to meet them. He tackles both academics and athletics with characteristic focus and inner strength. He ranks at the top of his high school class, but his accomplishments only begin there. Despite having a blood-clotting disorder, Choua is incredibly active. He earned a black belt in karate, and is highly advanced in Kung Fu. He tutors his peers in chemistry and has taken leadership roles in environmental causes. Choua makes a point to be informed about environmental issues in his community, and he devotes considerable time to brainstorming solutions. Choua is action-oriented, but this is balanced out by his mature philosophical insights. Meditation is important to him, and this hints at his thoughtful nature. Choua has the ability to be both vocal and reflective, and it is this combination of qualities that will serve him well in whatever task he undertakes.