©2002 Quest Scholars

PO Box 20054
Stanford, CA 94309

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questions@syesp.stanford.edu

Samuel loves physics and math, finding great pleasure in pondering and solving complex math problems. Samuel also enjoys finding real world applications of mathematical concepts through work with websites and animation. To share his affinity for mathematics and physics, he founded both math and physics & robotics clubs in his high school. Currently ranked number one in his class, Samuel immigrated to the United States from Ethiopia only three years ago, and now lives in Takoma Park, Maryland. He understands both the beauty of his native land and the extreme hardship people struggle through everyday. He says his experiences in Ethiopia give him a deeper sense of appreciation for life, positive attitudes, and overcoming obstacles. Tirelessly energetic, he hopes to one day return to Ethiopia and positively impact the people in his home country.

Immigrating to the United States from Eritrea seven years ago, Naomi Anderbrhan now lives in Lakewood, California. Kind and inquisitive, she is strongly connected to her African roots, and also enjoys interactions with individuals from various other cultures that give her deeper understanding of the world and its diversity. Never afraid of asking questions, her curiosity underscores her genuine desire to learn. Entering her junior year in the fall of 2003, Naomi is involved in a wide range of activities including track & field, model UN, and choir. Despite the busy lifestyle and her deep dedication to her varied activities, she finds time to pursue her true passion in life by doing volunteer work. Vigorously youthful and eager, Naomi hopes to combine her academic interests with her passion for public service to become a traveling doctor.

Family is very important to Gladys. From Stanton, California, she most enjoys spending time with children and relatives, particularly her niece and nephew. Through her family, Gladys gained not only a strong sense of responsibility but also deep caring for others. By choosing to attend a boarding school and thus sacrificing time with her family, Gladys demonstrates the great importance of education in her life. Very caring and always ready with a radiant smile, Gladys takes time out to volunteer at a local retirement home. Besides serving those in need, she enjoys digesting a good book as well as running, which allows her to feel the freedom within herself. In addition, Gladys possesses a strong affinity for the sciences and aspires to become part of the medical profession or pursue a career in criminology.

Currently living in Hyde Park, Massachusetts, Kousha is an outgoing young man with a love for the sciences. He has been involved with a research lab for five years and wishes to share his love for science by providing guidance to other aspiring young scientists. He enjoys many activities, including fencing, and works at the New England Aquarium to promote environmental awareness. A family man at heart, Kousha deeply understands the responsibilities he has towards his family and friends and is very dedicated to his younger sister. Deeply intellectual, he possesses both a developed philosophical perspective as well as a mature style of interaction. Kousha works hard to help those in need with grace and efficacy. He dreams of a world where people can live in peace and harmony. This intelligent and caring young man hopes to one day have a career in the field of biotechnology.

Hometown: Harwood Heights, Illinois
School: Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy
Professional Aspirations: Medicine, Writing

From the small town of Harwood Heights, Illinois, Maggie is passionate about learning. She has worked hard to reach beyond the classroom and continues her education through her involvement with neurological research at Northwestern University. Her passion for learning is inspired by her wonderful teachers and supported by the efforts of her parents. Proud of her Polish heritage, Maggie is a gentle and caring individual who does not believe in competition with others, but strives to push herself. Her open-mindedness allows her to be very receptive to new ideas and other cultures, and she insatiably seeks to view the world in completely new ways. Maggie participates in a variety of activities including cross-country, writing poetry and community service. She dreams of becoming a doctor and aiding third world countries.

Daniel is a man of many talents. His strongest interest lies in physics, a subject he has pursued closely by reading many books and periodicals. Daniel hopes to become a research physicist one day. He devotes much effort to the recycling project he founded and often spends time playing soothing music on his guitar. Daniel enjoys running in the morning to stay healthy. Highly disciplined, his impressive amount of self control allows him to continually refine his mind and body. Now living in South Pasadena, California, Daniel moved from the People's Republic of China only five years ago and has excelled in school and other areas of life. His immigration has taught him much about different cultures and personal growth. Daniel is a very perceptive and kind intellectual who would like to make a real change in the world.

Lisa knew she wanted to be a doctor even in elementary school. Her motivation and drive derive both from her personal experiences and the observance of the role of illness in the lives of others. Even during her time away from class, she works diligently to educate youth about the many health issues society faces today and volunteering in an area hospital. During her spare time, Lisa enjoys golf and singing at the local choir in Fremont, California. Lisa's multi-cultural background fosters her curiosity toward the experiences of others and their backgrounds. Her family, with European, American, and Asian origins, has also impressed upon her a strong sense of devotion and compassion. Her utmost care for others and determination makes her a natural leader. Lisa's friends admire her steadfast focus and ability to always follow her principles.

Hailing from a family farm in Edwall, Washington, Joey feels that his life experience in a rural area has greatly shaped him. His father's example has instilled in Joey a strong work ethic and ability to approach challenges with determination and perseverance. Growing up in this environment, Joey has developed a deep affinity and respect for the natural world. His fascination for nature manifests itself in his passionate pursuit of the sciences. Joey highly enjoys playing sports, particularly basketball and soccer. He also expresses himself musically though the piano. His family and personal faith have motivated him to take an active interest in the welfare of his community. Spiritual and compassionate, Joey genuinely wants to make a difference in the world. He hopes to do so in part through contributions in medicine as a researcher or physician

A dedicated student, Joseph is very interested in chemistry and biology and thrives in a hands-on laboratory setting. Having overcome many challenges, Joseph is now an accomplished athlete, participating in sports such as tennis and cross-country. He is an involved musician, proficient in both the violin and piano. Having work experience with farming, Joseph has proven himself a tireless worker and also a committed member of his community of Roseburg, Oregon. He is active in orchestra and volunteering at a nearby VA hospital, where his intense passion to serve others shines through. He attributes his drive and his successes to his family. He feels deep gratitude for the sacrifices his family has made to provide for him, and he is strongly motivated by their example. Joseph dreams of becoming a neurosurgeon and improving the world with his numerous talents.

Emigrating from Korea at an early age, Sophia has developed personal responsibility through serving as a bridge between her parents and the Western culture. This role instilled in her much willpower and taught her the importance of family. Dedicated not only to scholastic pursuits, she is active in altruistic endeavors. Through her parents' guidance and support from her church, Sophia has participated in several overseas mission trips. She has served as a volunteer in area hospitals and has initiated an e-waste recycling project in her home community of Cupertino, California. Yearning for self-discovery, Sophia passionately pursues the violin and further expresses herself through writing. Keenly interested in the academic fields of biology and English, Sophia aspires to become an obstetrician/ gynecologist and thus continually share the joy of new life with others.

From his childhood in Canton, China, to adapting to a new way of life in San Francisco, Nick is familiar with hardship and struggle. He is deeply appreciative of the sacrifices his parents have made on his behalf and this appreciation motivates him to succeed in all areas of life. He feels that his dedication to volunteering has changed his outlook on life and further inspired his benevolence. He is concerned with the social and political aspects of scientific and environmental issues and their impact on people and surroundings. Nick loves to read and aspires to the noble nature of the people he finds in literary works. Highly sensitive and insightful, Nick constantly strives for a balanced, healthy worldview. Interested in math, computer science, and environmental science, he hopes to one day contribute to society through engineering.

Born and raised in northern China, Meiyang moved to the United States four years ago. A very mature, genuine person, she feels that her combined experiences in both cultures have significantly shaped her perspective of the world. Possessing an intrinsic awareness and deep appreciation of natural and artistic beauty, Meiyang strives to explore and share this passion through art, service, and scholarship. She has taken her concept of art expression beyond creating works and expanded it to include founding and presiding over an art club at her school. Meiyang devotes time to her community of Burlingame, California through her school's service club. Additionally, she enjoys delving into the elegance and mysteries of the natural world through study of the sciences. In this way, Meiyang hopes to contribute her insights through a career as a mechanical or electrical engineer.

Hometown: Hawthorne, California
School: California Academy of Math and Science
Professional Aspirations: Engineering, Medicine

A highly motivated and focused individual, Michael loves to peer into the mysterious workings of the world. He particularly enjoys studying physics and computer science, and his inquisitive nature leads him to seek out answers to his myriad questions by enthusiastically tackling scientific problems. With such a driven disposition, it is not surprising that he devotes much free time to independent study and research projects. The scope of Michael's efforts is not confined to the sciences, however. He often directs his inquiries internally, utilizing writing to express and evaluate himself. Keenly aware of the socioeconomic challenges facing minority communities, he is an active participant in the Volunteer Center Youth Coalition in Hawthorne/Gardena, California, displaying the breadth of his desire to help others and make a positive impact on the world. Michael hopes to use his talents to improve our quality of life through the fields of engineering and medicine.

Helen is a young leader from the Bronx, New York. She moved to the US from China 13 years ago but understands the importance of her cultural background in her American life. Compassionate and highly empathetic, she has a warmth and humor that reveal her deeply caring nature. Helen takes great pleasure in running, which has taught her a great deal about enjoying the journey of life. Her work with the Red Cross and Village Nursing Home has deeply inspired her. She also enjoys yoga practice and is a reflective individual who carefully ponders the lessons experience teaches. From these reflections, Helen has discovered her desire to help others who are hindered by diseases. Always very modest, she has achieved much personally and academically. Helen aspires to be a medical researcher who investigates the complex world of diseases and their cures.

Crystal is a strong and perseverant individual. Having overcome numerous challenges in her life, she has gained the inner strength to be a supportive presence for those near her. She admires courageous and passionate individuals who triumph through adversity. Never relenting in her quest to improve her surroundings, Crystal is diligent in her classes and plays a leadership role in several of her many activities including volleyball, basketball, newspaper, and Diversity Union. She uses basketball to refresh her spirit and keep focus. Crystal has become increasingly concerned with health and human rights issues. She explores these interests by working with Amnesty International and a local children's hospital in Denver, Colorado. Poised and creative, Crystal also enjoys writing, aspiring to be either a journalist or a doctor.

Leyden cherishes learning from new experiences. Her small hometown of North Stonington, Connecticut, is fairly rural, and the desire to experience the diversity of other locales has shaped Leyden's personality. Not satisfied with being proficient only in academics, she has expanded her extracurricular activities over a broad range. A lover of the ocean, this well-rounded, intelligent scholar relishes teamwork and is active in cross country, drama and theater, student council, softball, band, and girl scouts. Her desire for a diverse experience derives from her curious nature, which also leads her to enjoy studying the mysteries of the natural world through biology. She serves her community by volunteering at a local emergency room hospital. Leyden's caring nature drives her to consider improving the quality of people's lives through medicine or art.

Veronica loves interacting with youth and supporting children who choose to dream. In them can be seen memorable elements of herself: curiosity, imagination, and motivation. She finds all these tendencies satiated when studying sciences, particularly chemistry. Her other interests include creating 3-Dimensional art projects and reading. She is an integral part of her church youth group, teaching Sunday school and singing in the choir. She tutors at a local tech center which helps her to build confidence and others and, consequently, in herself. Emigrating from Mexico as a child taught her adaptability and strength, as well as the determination and caring she so admires. She works daily to support her family, a heavy responsibility that she shoulders without question. One of her primary goals is to make others happy, an endeavor she succeeds in every minute of every day.

Julie is a young woman from Brighton, Massachusetts who aspires to become a pediatrician because she loves working with children. She is grateful to her parents who sacrificed a great deal to make her life in America possible. Because of this appreciation, Julie works hard in school and is motivated to do her best to repay some of what her parents have given her. Caring and trusting, she also has a strong work ethic which she utilizes to achieve success and personal growth. She loves to dance and has been involved with her dance troupe for four years. Julie cares about the environment and devotes much time to the marine environment club in her school. Mature, compassionate and observant, she faces difficult decisions in life with calm and clarity. Julie appreciates random acts of kindness and warm smiles.

Residing in Los Angeles, California, Carlos has a heart as passionate as his desire to succeed. He finds great satsifaction in spreading joy and devotes his energies toward that end. His personal faith and inner strength have kept him going despite many challenges. Carlos works extremely hard to make his life and education the highest quality possible. He is actively involved in Key Club, Leadership, and Mock Trial, serving as a leader and role model for fellow students. He loves to play basketball and is also dedicated to his church. Through willpower, Carlos has truly overcome the difficulties in his life. Interested in genetics, he dreams of becoming a scientist and devoting his life to the discovery of better solutions for our world. Displaying tenacity and strength of character, Carlos truly has the drive to make a lasting difference.

Mike is a young man who truly takes pleasure in helping others. He feels public service is its own reward. He came to this conclusion by putting years of effort and dedication into a local tutoring program working with struggling students in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Mike is a warm and gentle person who understands his position as a role model to other students and family members. Besides the responsible roles he plays in his school and family, Mike also is a versatile athlete who plays tennis and basketball while still having time to coach soccer. He feels that his personal faith constantly rejuvenates his spirit. With natural humor and openness, Mike's smile readily displays his sincere warmth. This dynamic young man from Virginia has a long life goal of becoming a doctor after majoring in biomedical engineering.