English
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Timpview High School
Parents: Sang Chul and Yun Kyung Lee
Provo
"The first newspaper issue of my senior year was a terror. I was no longer a lowly staff writer, given everything from story ideas to word counts on a silver platter. I was editor-in-chief. However, as I looked over the new staff on the first day of class, my fear of failure squelched the grandiose title like a bug.
"As a staff writer during my junior year, I had the help of numerous editors who held my hand along the way toward journalistic success. I was a child, crawling toward the deadline while picking up knowledge of slugs, beats, and leads along the way.
"But the editors left for college and I was left with only a fool's knowledge of how to print a full issue. I barely understood the workings of InDesign, and I felt overwhelmed at times by dozens of staff writers asking me simultaneously about their word counts and leads. Everything I had previous ignored — pictures, headlines, captions, layouts, etc. — flooded me as the first deadline loomed ever so near.
"However, as my hours in the journalism lab grew longer, my self-doubt began to fade away. The paper was now mine to shape into a fantastic publication or a ridiculous mess. My first issue had many successes and failures. I now realize that I would never have come so far as a designer of an entire issue without taking risks. Many of those risks have resulted in nondescript pictures and nonsensical headlines. But some have resulted in fresh front-page designs and cutouts worthy of the New York Times. It still pains me to hear other students criticize the paper but knowing that I am fully responsible for a 16-page monthly publication is no longer a burden."
SCHOLARSHIP: Ranks first out of 422; overall GPA is 4.0; 36 composite ACT.
AWARDS AND PROJECTS: AP Scholar of Distinction Award; perfect scores on the SAT subject tests; one of 595 students nationwide recognized with the Achievement Award in Writing by the National Council of Teachers of English; first place in 2006 for the Hugh O'Brien and Utah Kiwanis Club essay contests; academic letters in science, social studies, music, English and mathematics; 2007-08 All State Orchestra; Utah Valley Youth Symphony Orchestra; Eagle rank; volunteers in the circulation department of the public library in Provo; Provo City Youth Government; participated in the Joseph Smith bicentennial; member of the Timpview High School Orchestra.