April, Well-Rounded Around the World

At 15, April is already experienced at juggling priorities. The oldest of three children, she makes keeping the balance between her busy American life and her Chinese heritage look as effortless as the spins she performs on her ice skates. When she thinks of what she left behind in Hong Kong, she giggles as she realizes that she misses the food the most. She remembers, “In Hong Kong, it’s all tall buildings, and everybody walks everywhere. I don’t think I ever saw a house with a garden and a yard like people have here.”

April explains that in addition to differences in the landscape, she has noticed big differences in the way American kids and Chinese kids are expected to behave. “In China, it’s a lot more formal. You have to respect your elders. Kids never call adults by their first names. And,” she emphasizes, “there’s a lot more homework.” She and her siblings have Chinese studies every day, “even in the summer [. . .] but not all Chinese kids are smart.” That, April explains, is a stereotype, “even though most of the ones in my school are in high math.” April admits to being a math whiz herself. “I just get it,” she grins.

A fun-loving personality lies behind her ready smile, but watch out: April is ambitious, too. She is not afraid to compete, and her efforts have not only improved her skills but also helped her become a strong person. She has participated in piano competitions and, this year, her very first ice-skating competition in which she won second place—“out of two competitors,” she says, laughing and rolling her eyes. “I won a few state piano competitions, though,” she says, “and I give lessons to kids in my neighborhood.” Her favorite piece to play? Beethoven’s Für Elise, “definitely.”

Other things April enjoys include horseback riding, babysitting and volunteering in the children’s library, where she helps with programs and shelves materials—fast. At the suggestion of a friend on the Teen Advisory Board, April began volunteering two years ago. She likes working with people, “and it looks good on your résumé.” Her favorite books include Sabriel by Garth Nix and the Alice series by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor.

Everyone on the children’s library staff says it seems like there’s nothing April can’t do. Someday, she might even go to Yale, become a corporate lawyer and travel to the moon...but her schedule is too full for all that just yet.