Chanya Nguyen: A Santa Cruz High School Senior Embracing Both Arts and Sciences

Chanya Nguyen, a soon-to-be graduate of Santa Cruz High School, isn’t your typical “math whiz” or “literature enthusiast.” This incredible young woman blows those labels out of the water! She’s killin’ it in all her classes, driven by a pure love for learning and a deep appreciation for her time in high school.

Nguyen’s Diverse Interests and Extracurricular Activities

Nguyen isn’t just hitting the books; she’s super active in clubs that cover both the artsy and brainy sides of things:

• Women’s Honor Society
• Poetry Club
• STEM Club
• Women in STEM Club (co-founder, how cool is that?!)

Speaking of the Women in STEM Club, Nguyen and her awesome crew organize some seriously impactful events:

• Fundraising to support future STEM stars
• Talks featuring amazing women who are rockin’ it in STEM fields

Their mission? To create a network of support and resources for students, especially those who might be a lil’ unsure about where to start in the STEM world.

The Impact of COVID-Nineteen and Nguyen’s Growth

Starting high school during a pandemic? Talk about a curveball! Nguyen had to navigate the wild world of hybrid learning, which definitely left its mark. But, guess what? Returning to a fully in-person experience ignited a fire in her. She craved connection and wanted to dive headfirst into the school community.

High school became Nguyen’s oyster, a place where she could truly blossom and break free from her shell.

The Impact of COVID-Nineteen and Nguyen’s Growth

Starting high school during a pandemic? Talk about a curveball! Nguyen had to navigate the wild world of hybrid learning, which definitely left its mark. But, guess what? Returning to a fully in-person experience ignited a fire in her. She craved connection and wanted to dive headfirst into the school community.

High school became Nguyen’s oyster, a place where she could truly blossom and break free from her shell.

Volunteering at Seymour Marine Discovery Center

Since her sophomore year, Nguyen has been a dedicated volunteer at the Seymour Marine Discovery Center. It’s not just about clocking in hours, though. She’s an exhibit guide, which means she gets to:

• Hang out with visitors at the touch pools (who doesn’t love a good touch pool?!)
• Explain the cool exhibits in a way that makes sense
• Teach people about the wonders of marine science and the awesome research happening right there

This experience isn’t just about sharing fun facts; it’s about igniting a spark in others. Nguyen gets to share her infectious enthusiasm for science, soak up knowledge about cutting-edge research, and inspire the next generation of ocean lovers. How cool is that?

Nguyen’s Deep Connection to Seymour Center

The Seymour Center isn’t just a random volunteering gig for Nguyen; it’s like a second home. This place holds a special place in her heart because she practically grew up within its walls. As a kid, she was that curious little soul, mesmerized by the exhibits and soaking up knowledge like a sponge.

Volunteering at the Seymour Center is Nguyen’s way of giving back to a place that played a huge role in shaping who she is today. It’s all about paying it forward and inspiring others just like she was inspired.

Exploring the World of Professional Science

Nguyen didn’t stop at volunteering; she dove headfirst into the real-deal world of professional science. She shadowed a biologist at Santa Cruz Biotechnology, getting a firsthand look at the exciting (and sometimes messy!) world of research. She witnessed:

• The ins and outs of laboratory procedures
• The fancy equipment that scientists use
• The mind-blowing gene-editing technology, CRISPR (although she admits the concept was a tad bit over her head at times, lol)

This experience was like a sneak peek into the future, giving Nguyen invaluable insights into what a career in science could look like.