Ava Y.
About Me
My name is Ava, I’m a sophomore, and this is my fourth year at Stanford OHS. I come from a very sport-driven family so I love powerlifting, running, and competing in the Hyrox competition with my friends. I also love art, and living in New York has given me the opportunity to explore different mediums, ranging from theatre/ballet and music to painting/sculpting. Since middle school, I have also been heavily involved in debate so on the weekends I volunteer at a local Chinese School as a debate teaching assistant.
Academically, I’m interested in all things finance, primarily the applications of mathematics into investing and business in general. I’m the vice president of the Investment Club, and one of the executive directors at a non-profit run by students, teaching the younger generation finance. In the future, I hope to combine my interest in finance with entrepreneurship, creating opportunities not only for myself, but also for others. In the short term, I hope to make some extra time so I can pick up the piano again, and continue expanding the time I dedicate to non-profit work.
Why I Chose Stanford OHS
I chose Stanford OHS because I was looking for a school that could provide me flexibility to explore my other passions, while still having rigorous academics. As noted before, the public brick-and-mortar school I attended before Stanford OHS did not provide me with an experience that aligned with the goals I hoped to achieve. The Covid-19 pandemic exacerbated that feeling as public schools were not prepared to shift the entire education system online. However, in that time, I had discovered through some tutoring and debate courses I took, that efficient online school works well for me. Thus, I began looking for a school that allowed me to balance my athletics and interest in business and investing, with the required graduation credits. In-person private school was too far for my parents to send me, and would not be feasible since I have two other siblings that also have their commitments.
When I learned about Stanford OHS, I realized the structure of this school would be the perfect fit. Since I joined, I have been able to pursue finance even more, primarily through attending the Investment Club and co-leading teams to competitions. Additionally, I have also been able to focus more on working out. Due to the flexible nature of course scheduling, I am able to travel for competitions such as Hyrox and other races much easier.
What I Love About Stanford OHS
What I love most about Stanford OHS is the incredible community of students, teachers and staff that make up the school. They have created an environment where both academic rigor and socializing opportunities are balanced. The classes push me to think in depth, not only about the stand alone idea, but how it connects back to the big picture. Instead of focusing solely on memorization, the course content encourages discussion, similar to what I have heard college is like. I also appreciate the office hour sessions that instructors hold as it makes the online experience feel much more personalized and engaging.
Beyond academics, I love the events that the school hosts. From clubs and student-run events, to in-person meetups and school dances, Stanford OHS truly makes an effort to allow the students to connect with one another. Once you socialize with Stanford OHS students, you also realize that due to the course content, they have been encouraged to think at a deeper, more mature level. However, that does not prevent them from being some of the most personable people I have met.