UPSILON CLASS
The Upsilon Class crossed in Spring of 2019.
Kavita "Noorunisa" SelvaHometown: Houston, TX
Major: Computer Science Involved In: PASU/Kayu, AATP, Noopur, LTS Likes: the office references, raw salmon, friendship Me in 10 years: dropped out of corporate job to become comedy writer What I appreciate most about SYZ: its inspiring community of multicultural leaders <3 Fun facts: i was procrastinating on studying for all my finals when I submitted this bio |
Crystal "chahua" ChenHometown: Hsinchu, Taiwan
Major: Economics Involved In: Asian American Student Association (AASA), XTRM Kpop dance group, Psychology Research Likes: every moment, dancing, green (ex: mint chocolate + matcha + the colour green), Wilbur dining (hot hot take), art, laughing, dad jokes/cold jokes/jokes that weren't even funny/funny jokes, vivid (borderline confusing/fashionably-challenging) outfits, drawing, shopping, (decaf) tea, Taiwan, mochi (especially brown sugar or matcha ones), games (ex: basketball, tag, hide and seek), swimming, poetry, binge-eating, lying on the grass, walks, movies, making up and playing wacky games, spontaneity, shiny/colourful/bright things, YouTube documentaries on Vice and Broadly + Jubilee Project and Asian Boss Me in 10 years: Quirky + sweet + not sleep-deprived + laugh-y/smiley = Happy!! (aka WHOLESOME WILD WEIRD WACKY) What I appreciate most about SYZ: the fact that you can casually throw in the word "SYZter" and not feel like you're pushing the limits of what is defined as a pun; the most beautiful, strong, supportive, empowering, genuine women; diversity in talents, interests, personalities Fun facts: 1 sibling: one younger sister who has the (near?) opposite personality type (ISTJ/ISTP) and I'm ENFP 2 fingers: I type with two fingers (but I press the "shift" button with my thumb and delete with my fourth finger sometimes) 3 variables: these three affect what I look like everyday --> me with/without 1) eyeliner 2) cap 3) glasses 4 countries: I was born in the US, went to kindergarten in Germany, elementary school in Singapore, and middle and high school in Taiwan (but I am ethnically (and basically culturally) Taiwanese (double parentheses ftw)) 5 add-ons: I went through freshman year everyday with these five things always on my wrists and neck --> watch, lanyard (+keys), wooden amulet (spiritual protection), safety whistle tied to the amulet (physical protection), bracelet my mom gave me for my birthday that says "Unique as you are" with charms that say "Mother," "daughter," and "I love you to the moon and back." 6 years old: I have been dancing since when I was six |
Cristina "Nylaia" De La CruzHometown: Monterey Park, CA
Major: Undeclared Involved In: PASU, Stanford Student Store Likes: cuddling, photoshoots, making playlists, unapologetic terrible dancing, promiscuous by nelly furtado, laughing until i can't breathe, LatE niGHt dEeP taLKs, adrenaline-inducing shenanigans ;) Me in 10 years: hopefully no longer sleep deprived, but still surrounded by people i love and who love me What I appreciate most about SYZ: knowing that i can ugly cry in front of any of my sisters and they'll be there for me Fun facts: i say ironically stupid things as a safety net for the times i unintentionally say something actually stupid-- you'll never know which is which |
Haeli "Senbonzakura" BaekHometown: San Diego, CA
Major: Symbolic Systems Involved In: Stanford Collaborative Orchestra, Kids with Dreams Likes: Watermelon, bunnies, singing Broadway musicals in the shower, action movies, overalls, cities, and Benedict Cumberbatch<3 Me in 10 years: crazy bunny mom What I appreciate most about SYZ: The empowering, encouraging, and enthusiastic (wow, alliteration!) energy these women exude! They truly inspire me each and every day :) Fun facts: I used to have a phobia of ceiling fans. I hate all cheese. I've been rescued by a lifeguard at the beach. I love the color red. I wrote one of my supplement essays about watermelon. The first time I've ever been camping was on a silent retreat (4 days of silence) in Death Valley. I like tulips! |
Cathy "Émeraude" ZhangHometown: Mountain View, CA
Major: Computer Science Involved In: Women in Computer Science, The Stanford Daily, Common Origins Likes: Wholesomeness, eating and traveling and both at once, honey butter chips, grapefruit, taking pictures of food, concerts, CS, philosophical questions, late night deep talks, laughter Me in 10 years: Happy and living my best life~~ What I appreciate most about SYZ: Definitely the people - kind, supportive, intelligent, and just super cool <3 Fun facts: I have a pretty fast typing speed. |
Angela "Abeona" XieHometown: San Francisco, CA
Major: Undeclared Involved In: Asian American Student Association, chemistry research Likes: spontaneous adventures, studying at cafes, urban hiking, chemistry, indie rock/alternative rock/electropop music, teen dramas and international dramas on Netflix, reality TV shows (America's Got Talent, The Voice, The Four), baking desserts, giving gifts, chai lattes and hot cocoa :3 Me in 10 years: hopefully in an engineering and/or chemistry related field (chemical engineering? :OOO) What I appreciate most about SYZ: an abundance of love and support Fun facts: speak Cantonese, three older sisters (in addition to my lovely SYZters!), certified barista |
Betsy "Isla" KimHometown: Boston, MA
Major: Economics Involved In: Cantor Arts Center, chamber music, French language conversation partner Likes: Psychologically analyzing the Kardashians with my sister. The Kardashians. My sister. French pop. Kanye. Janis Joplin. Nina Simone. Me in 10 years: In a long-term, long-distance relationship with Harry Styles. What I appreciate most about SYZ: The breadth of everyone's identity! The way everyone cares for and has compassion for other members of SYZ, as well as for the API community. Fun facts: Cate Blanchett blessed my left shoulder. I was once a lax bro. |
Minh "Robin" NguyenHometown: Hanoi, Vietnam
Major: Psychology Involved In: SVSA Likes: Heart to heart conversations, reading YA or fantasy, rom coms, bubble tea, Vietnamese food, makeup videos on YouTube Me in 10 years: I’d love to just be happy with who I am and where I’m at, and hopefully have a successful career and maybe a stable relationship (if I’m lucky haha). Also will still be in touch with friends and SYZters from college :) What I appreciate most about SYZ: I love how supportive and caring my sisters in SYZ are - I don’t have to change myself when I’m around everyone, and I know that I can trust them 100% with anything going on in my personal life. Fun facts: My brother and I share the exact same birthday, so my parents can save money on our birthday celebrations :P |
Serena "primrose" ZhangHometown: Lake Oswego, OR
Major: International Relations Involved In: The Undergraduate Chinese American Association (UCAA), XTRM, The Stanford Daily Likes: Writing, dance, film, Asian-Pacific Islander activism, the color purple, BTS, Sriracha, dim sum, dabbing, napping, ASMR, SYZ <3 Me in 10 years: Hopefully doing something cool and rewarding, like directing an award-winning film starring an all-Asian American cast. What I appreciate most about SYZ: The constant love, support, and inspiration I receive from all of my sisters ❤️ Fun facts: I can flare my nostrils, I’ve held a giant panda, and I’ve peed in a sandstorm! |
Rachael KooHometown: Orono, CA
Major: Humbio Involved In: Challah for Hunger, BedsiderU, Latinos Unidos Likes: Dancing in the rain, painting, tennis, baking cakes, finding new music, reading good fiction books, driving in boujee neighborhoods to admire the fancy architecture, going on walks and picking flowers, hiking and road trips Me in 10 years: Still premed and in school tbh What I appreciate most about SYZ: The love and the dance parties Fun facts: I have caught a lobster before I am an excellent tree-climber I like mariachi music |