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STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Elva Chen
Elva Chen Moves Forward
By JoEllen Collins for The Weekly Sun
Wood River High School junior Elva Chen, a Hailey resident, moved to the Wood River Valley from Taipei, Taiwan, with her mother and stepfather. They also lived in both Shanghai and Suzhou, on mainland China, where she had attended two international schools.
“The experience of moving to new schools and countries taught me to adapt to changes and appreciate each place,” Chen said. “Even though it wasn’t easy to leave my family, friends and all the memories behind, I’ve learned that change is what makes you move forward, toward vital experiences and adventures.”
In spite of some initial fear of being a minority here, “I have made friends,” Chen said. “Those who know me well might say I am funny, quirky and annoying sometimes. I love to make them laugh.”
Chen carries a 4.095 GPA and currently is taking Pre-AP Art, AP Macro Economics, AP Physics and AP U.S. History.
“I appreciate the way courses are taught here at the high school,” Chen said. “I love the learning atmosphere. Taiwan’s education system is based mostly on memorization, and the hours are from 7:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., followed, for most students, by cram schools from 6:30 to10 p.m. Now I have a manageable workload, can participate in labs and hands-on learning, and have time for sports and clubs.
“My teachers are my mentors, helping with my personal difficulties and struggles in life and providing amazing advice. I really don’t know how to best show my appreciation to them.”
Chen takes part in many extracurricular activities, including as a member of National Honor Society, the Art Club and Key Club, and track and field.
She also volunteers for The Advocates, the Animal Shelter, Sun Valley Center for the Arts and Safe Haven.
“Aside from school, I enjoy playing the piano and basketball, skateboarding, shopping, and just spending time with friends,” Chen said. “However, my main interest right now is definitely art—any form. It allows me to fully express my emotions, and it is simply fun to use my imagination and creativity. I feel fulfilled when my work is recognized by people who express a positive feeling while viewing my art.”
In 2017, the Sun Valley Center for the Arts gave Chen a scholarship for a pre-college program at the Maine College of Art. There, she learned about printmaking, painting and figure drawing.
“This summer of 2018 I will also be attending a pre-college art program, although with a different focus of concentration,” said Chen.
In her prior schools, Chen won awards for art designs, and a third place in a TED junior speech competition in Taiwan.
Chen plans to major in business when she goes to college, though “art will always remain my passion.”
Each week, JoEllen Collins will be profiling a local high-school student. If you know someone you'd like to see featured, e-mail joellencollins1@gmail.com.