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Jessica Li, Extraordinary Student

By: Edwin Tan

What does it take to be a student extraordinaire? Certainly, not just top grades or leadership. Or extra-curricular achievements, for that matter. It’s a wonderful combination of these, and more. Take 16 year-old Jessica Li of Langley High School in McLean, Virginia.

The culmination of Jessica’s achievements is her acceptance to the National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS), a society that–in the words of chairman and founder Claes Nobel, of the Nobel Prize family –"recognizes the top scholars in the nation and invites only those students who have achieved superior academic excellence." She added, "Jessica is now a member of a unique community of scholars, a community that represents our very best hope for the future."

Jessica juggles challenging classes and extra-curricular activities--from National Honor Society to challenging the Model UN to figure skating. This past academic year, she enrolled in three difficult Advanced Placement (AP) classes as a junior to gain a headstart on college-level work. Two is the average number of APs most juniors take. Those who elect three often favor a course in a department unrelated to English and History.

When asked about her rare choice of two history classes, Jessica explained, "I felt that by taking three AP humanities classes, I could further explore my affinity for literature as well as both world and U.S. history." How rigorous are AP classes really? Said Jessica, "I read 20 to 25 pages of text every night for each history class along with other work. English homework usually consists of writing and reading, which varies from 10 to 70 pages per night."

As a member of the National Honor Society, as well as three other honor societies, she spends at least 20 hours on community service and tutoring. "Sometimes I wish I had Hermione’s Time Turner," she said, referring to the Harry Potter heroine with a laugh. "It’s tough just getting five to six hours of sleep on school nights."

Like many of her high school peers, Jessica also joins clubs such as Model UN and foreign language groups. She also formed a club that advocates smart exercise. "Smart exercise teaches people of all ages to achieve their physical fitness goals and obtain the results they want without over- or under-exercising," Jessica said.

She added:  "For example, many people who desire a six-pack perform 100 sit-ups a day. But research has shown that sit-ups are actually one of the least effective abdominal exercises and that strength training is much more beneficial if done every other day. The club, which I named the Fitness Association, works to debunk such myths so people can make the most of their time and energies."

Jessica didn't stop there. In October 2005, she discovered something else lacking in her high school - an English Honor Society. "I noticed every department within the school had its own honor society except English," Jessica observed. She talked with Helen Croce, a good friend and classmate. Along with their dedicated sponsor, Ms. Aubrey Ludwig, they launched the English Honor Society in May.

Indeed, Jessica has contributed much to her school. But life for her by no means involves school only. Outside Langley, Jessica enjoys acting, singing and figure skating. A late starter in all three activities, Jessica nonetheless proved herself within a short period of time. Within eight months, she passed eight standard United States Figure Skating Association (USFSA) tests–a feat that fewer than five skaters in the entire nation have been able to do. Jessica ascribes her impressive accomplishments to her supportive mother and her own passion.

            Starting only in January, Jessica has learned songs of Celine Dion and her favorite, Dutch singer Dominique van Hulst. Mary Ann Redmond, her former voice instructor, said Jessica "sounds as good as the record now, we just want to make her sound better." In acting, Jessica displays talent as well. She made the final cut for several independent feature films and face model searches. She is scheduled to appear on local Philadelphia cable this month on Dream Today, Star Tomorrow, patterned after Jay Leno’s The Tonight Show, to promote upcoming talents.

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