child at the elementary school. Most importantly, I described all of the proud, happy and grateful emotions I felt with Twyla.”
Julie’ s been with the North Allegheny School District for 13 years and has tried to give back as much as possible.
As President of the Interact Club, she has encouraged students to engage in meaningful community service activities, both locally and in the global community. These activities include the Grandview Pen Pal program, preparing Thanksgiving meals for the homeless, and volunteering at Vincentian Nursing Home.“ The Grandview Pen Pal program has been one of my most memorable high school experiences,” says Julie.“ I will never forget the feeling of working with my inner-city fourth grade pen pals and raising $ 4,548 to give everyone in their elementary school enough school supplies.”
As President of the NA DECA chapter, she encouraged students at NASH to learn more about business and compete in a variety of business fields. She was also the vice president of the Speech and Debate team, where she taught Public Forum to underclassmen, ran two Pittsburgh debate camps, and planned out-of-state trips. Julie and her debate partner, Anmol Anand, recently won the state tournament and also qualified for two national tournaments.
Outside of school, Julie continues to be very involved in her community. She has served as the Junior Councilperson on the Franklin Park Council, attending bi-weekly meetings and working with the local community. Additionally, she’ s volunteered at the North Country Meals on Wheels for two years and prepared and packaged meals for more than 80 elderly members of her community.
“ I absolutely love North Allegheny, if you couldn’ t already tell,” laughs Julie.“ I’ ve met people from all over the country and very few schools compare to the amazing environment at NA. We offer a club for nearly every interest you could have— and if we don’ t, you can create one!” Her favorite subjects were AP English 3 with Morris, and Honors World Affairs with Bill Hildenbrand.“ AP English pushed me outside my comfort zone of reading and taught me everything I know about writing, while Honors World Affairs challenged my critical thinking and worldly knowledge,” she says.“ I still use knowledge from both classes every day, and they have had the biggest impact on me.”
The biggest mentor in Julie’ s life is her sister, Lily.“ Since she’ s 10 years older than me, she’ s always been there to give me brutally honest advice. I wouldn’ t have my courage or drive without her help.” She is also inspired by her parents, who moved to the United States in 1992 in hopes for a better future for their children.“ They left everything, including friends, family and culture, to give us these opportunities,” she notes.“ I couldn’ t be more thankful for their unwavering support for everything I do.”
In addition to the Presidential Scholars award, Julie was also selected to be a Coca-Cola Scholar. This scholarship is given to 150 high school seniors each year and provides $ 20,000 toward college tuition, room / board and supplies.
Her parents, Xia Li and Zongfu Chen, couldn’ t be more proud.“ Julie is very self-motivated, and we rarely force her to do anything. She follows her passions, and we are always here to help her with her dreams. When we challenge her, she always surprises us and goes above our expectations. We are both Julie’ s biggest fans!”
Julie will be attending the University of Pennsylvania in the Jerome Fisher Management and Technology dualdegree program. This allows for two degrees within four years in the Wharton School of Business and School of Engineering. She hopes to study management and computer science, but is still undecided at this time.
“ Technology and leadership have always come pretty naturally to me,” she says,“ and I look forward to contributing my strengths and to an amazing community filled with opportunities at Penn. I know I’ ll definitely find people with similar interests, and I can’ t wait to make new memories.” ■
Julie Chen poses with her AP English teacher David Morris and his wife.
Created in 1964, the U. S. Presidential Scholars Program has honored more than 7,000 of the nation’ s top-performing students, with the prestigious award given to honorees during an annual ceremony in D. C. The program was expanded in 1979 to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, literary and performing arts. In 2015, the program was again extended to recognize students who demonstrate ability and accomplishment in career and technical education fields.
Since 1983, each U. S. Presidential Scholar has been offered the opportunity to name his or her most influential teacher. Each distinguished teacher is honored with a personal letter from the Secretary of Education. Julie Chen chose to recognize David Morris, an AP English Language and Composition teacher at NASH.
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