Li a success no matter the language

Yanfen Li was an exceptional student in Guang, China. But when she came to America at the age of 12 with her parents and brother, the transition was quite difficult. She studied English back home, but failed to grasp the language. Therefore, Li struggled to communicate in class, and was unable to understand what her teachers were telling her. &#8220It was tough,” she said of the beginning. &#8220It got worse and worse.”
Yet Li constantly worked to immerse herself in American culture, studying and reading after school every day instead of watching Chinese Television or playing games with her new Chinese friends. &#8220She would come home and read [her] textbooks herself,” said Li's brother, Zhenpeng, a chemical engineering major at the University of Pennsylvania. &#8220That's how she went through that hardship.”
Zhenpeng has featured prominently in his sister's improvements. When the family came to America, he knew a great deal of English already. He would sit with his sister at night, going through the nuances Zhenpeng himself had previously erred with. &#8220She's hardworking, studious and sometimes I'd tutor her a little bit, especially in English,” he said. &#8220Since I'm older I basically don't want her to repeat my mistakes.”
Among those mistakes, Zhenpeng said, was applying to colleges late - although he did land at the University of Pennsylvania. &#8220I talk to her all the time that she should apply, like, early.”
It has obviously helped. LI has become an extraordinary student at Grover Cleveland High School in Ridgewood, with a 94 average and scored a 1550 out of 2400 on the SATs. She hopes to gain admittance into New York University or Cornell to pursue a degree in business management.
Because of that hard work, a relentless pursuit to gain comfort in a world she knew so little, Li recently was awarded first place in the Queens 2006 Junior Achievement of New York (JANY) High School Heroes Essay Contest.
For one day, she taught elementary school students with JANY. The competition asked high school students answer the question &#8220How has the High School Heroes Program helped to prepare you for future success?”
Li, admittedly nervous, in part because of her still-not-firm knowledge of the English language, wrote that when she first stood in front of a classroom full of eager students, she was shy and nervous. But preparing the lesson plan ahead of class helped her anxiety fade. &#8220As my voice grew louder and more confident, the children turned their attention to me,” Yanfen said. &#8220At that moment, I realized that courage is instrumental to leadership.”
&#8220I never thought I'd win anything like that,” she said. &#8220I feel so satisfied.”
Li, 17, received a $1000 cash prize for winning the competition. Tied for second place in Queens were Jahmere Johnson of Aviation High School and Chandra Persaud of Townsend Harris High School. Both students won $250 cash prizes for their essays. Competitions were also held in Brooklyn, Staten Island and Manhattan/Bronx.
&#8220I'm real happy for her,” Zhenpeng said. &#8220She's accomplished a lot in the last three years.”