SUBMITTED PHOTO Tempo
Xiang Yi Chen, born in the Fujian province of China, moved to America with her family when she was six years old. She is now a U.S. citizen and set to be a graduating senior at Byron High School.

    In a quiet corner of Illinois, a bright light shines in the form of Xiang Yi Chen, a high school senior whose remarkable journey from China to Byron is as inspiring as it is heartfelt. This year, Xiang Yi (pronounced shī-YEE) celebrates not just her upcoming high school graduation and her selection as a recipient of the prestigious P.E.O. (Philanthropic Educational Organization) STAR (Strategic Targeted Achievement Recognition) Scholarship, but also a deeply personal milestone: becoming a U.S. citizen.

    Born in China’s Fujian province, Xiang Yi immigrated to the United States at the age of six. Her family moved to Boscobel, Wis., seeking better educational and professional opportunities for their children. They were supported early on by her aunt, who first helped the family open and operate the restaurant China King in Byron and later settled in New York. Her family now runs the popular and successful local restaurant.

    Though the move opened doors, it also presented challenges. As a young girl who spoke only Mandarin, Xiang Yi had to learn a new language from scratch. Thankfully, her kindergarten teacher saw her potential and encouraged classmates to make pronunciation videos to help her learn English. That simple act of kindness lit a spark that has never gone out.

    Her path continued on in Byron, where she met Mrs. Melissa Reecher – her fifth grade teacher and former president of the NZ Chapter. Mrs. Reecher, like so many others, quickly recognized something special in Xiang Yi: a quiet determination, boundless curiosity, and a deep respect for learning.

    Xiang Yi’s nomination for the P.E.O. STAR Scholarship was made by two educators who have watched her grow and thrive over the years: her current teacher Susan Freyer, and retired teacher Meredith Townsend. Mrs. Townsend fondly remembers Xiang Yi’s very first year at Byron and the grace and perseverance she had in her new environment. P.E.O. past and current presidents Susan O’Neil and Erin Mumma helped to expedite the nomination process once it was agreed that the NZ Chapter would nominate her.

    Mrs. Freyer shared a favorite memory from when Xiang Yi was just a freshman – she had missed an answer on an assignment and politely asked if she was sure the answer key was correct.

    “She was absolutely right,” Freyer recalled with a smile. “The answer key was wrong – and she caught it. That moment stuck with me.”

    Now, as her teacher once again in Consumer Education class, Mrs. Freyer sees that same dedication and intelligence shining through every day. “Xiang Yi is always polite and gracious,” she said. “As a senior, she continues to work hard to achieve every goal she sets. She’s never stopped striving for excellence, so I just knew we had to nominate her for this scholarship.”

    The P.E.O. STAR Scholarship is a highly competitive national scholarship to honor a high school senior who exhibits excellence in leadership, academics, extracurricular activities, community service and potential for future success. Xiang Yi was interviewed and nominated by the Byron NZ Chapter to the state, where she was then evaluated by P.E.O. state and national Board of Trustees and, finally, in April she was notified that she won this coveted scholarship.

    Another one of Xiang Yi’s proudest accomplishments happened this spring, when she officially became a U.S. citizen. She had applied on her birthday on Oct. 3, 2024, and completed her interview on Dec. 18 – even missing her high school final exams to attend. On April 15 of this year, she stood in a Chicago courtroom and took the Oath of Allegiance.

    “The ceremony was really cool,” Xiang Yi said. “They had a really good singer perform the Star-Spangled Banner, and an official judge gave the oath. It felt important. It felt real.”

    In a bittersweet trade-off, Xiang Yi had to miss this year’s ACES State competition – one of her favorite academic events – to attend the citizenship ceremony. ACES (Academic Challenge in Engineering and Science) is an extracurricular activity that Xiang Yi excels at, and she recalls last year’s state experience as one of her best high school memories.

    This fall, Xiang Yi will attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison to begin her undergraduate studies. Her dream is to become a doctor specializing in internal medicine, a field that speaks to her lifelong desire to care for others.

    “I want to be there for people during the most vulnerable moments of their lives,” she says. “That’s when compassion and science can truly make a difference.”

    As Xiang Yi Chen steps across the stage at graduation soon, she does so as a proud scholar, a new citizen, and a young woman determined to serve, lead, and give back. Her story – one of resilience, gratitude, and quiet courage – is a powerful reminder of what can happen when dreams are nurtured with love, hard work, and the support of a community that believes in you.

 
 
 
Buy Viagra Overnight Delivery USA.