Jing Xue, 2010 Young Woman of Achievement

   

Jing Xue, a student at Mountain View High School, knows firsthand about the difference that one person can make. When she moved to the United States from China at age eight, she had never spoken a word of English. With the help of her classmates, friends, and tutors, she became fluent in the language and today is an accomplished student who plans to study international business. Jing has also given back to her community in many ways. “Service is important to me because those generous with their hearts and time have helped my family in America when we immigrated here,” she says. The daughter of Chinese doctors, Jing has always been interested in medicine. Each week, she volunteers as a receptionist at Southwest Washington Medical Center, where she has contributed almost 200 hours of service. Jing says that volunteering at the hospital shaped her character and made her more open to different kinds of people.

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Jing is also the representative for Mountain View High School on the Southwest Washington Red Cross Youth Council. She was part of the effort by Mountain View High School to encourage blood donation, and the school raised the most units of blood in the district. In addition, Jing has helped to promote health through an internship at the Firstenburg Community Center.

When she began high school, Jing joined many clubs and, she says, “I increasingly realized how much teenagers can make a difference.” She is currently the Activities Director of the National Honor Society and Upperclassman Director of the Key Club at Mountain View. “She has an air about her that invites others to confide in her and to seek her out when looking for team players. She exemplifies leadership,” wrote Carol Mackey, National Honor Society Advisor. Jing also mentors freshmen through the Thunder Success Academy Mentoring Program.

Passionate about art since the age of six, Jing has used her talent to raise environmental awareness. She has won awards from the Children’s Clean Water Billboard Art Contest, the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Contest, and the Clark County Youth Achievement in the Arts.

As an immigrant, Jing has worked hard not only to become fluent in English, but also to remain fluent in Chinese by reading Chinese books and news, listening to Chinese songs, and watching Chinese television. “Understanding the Chinese culture opens me up to new ideas and others’ cultures,” she says. Jing also volunteers each year at the English as a Second Language (ESL) Holiday Potluck for immigrant families at the Fort Vancouver Regional Library.

Through both her academic work and her community service, Jing demonstrates that she is indeed an accomplished young woman. As Jing says, “It is important for me to gain knowledge so that I can help my community.”