CYPRESS — Cypress Lakes High School junior Jessica Lan-Anh is recognized for her outstanding achievements in art and her involvement on campus.
School: Cypress Lakes High School
Age: 16
Grade: 11
Accomplishments: Lan-Anh has earned numerous art awards, including regional and state Visual Arts Scholastic Event (VASE) medals, Scholastic Silver Key and honorable mention, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo ribbons and has her work featured in museums. Lan-Anh is also recognized for being among the top 6% in her class, the Asian-American Pacific Islander Association vice president, a National Art Honor Society member and a junior varsity cross country runner.
Favorite class: “My favorite class has to be anything history- or culture-related. I’ve always had a fascination with how society and different people work and I find myself enjoying my dual credit U.S. History class the most.”
Favorite things to do after class: “I genuinely enjoy studying for my classes, especially with my new study group. I have this thirst for knowledge as well as a drive to be successful, so I find great satisfaction from working hard now and getting high marks later.”
Favorite song: “It’s You by Ali Gatie.”
Favorite website/app: “There’s so much you can learn about your fellow students and friends through Instagram. Most of the firsts I make are online and they are friendships that last as well. I also get updates about club meetings through Instagram, so there are multiple purposes for using the app.”
Favorite TV show: “Haikyu!!, because I never was one to watch anime, but my friends pressured me into watching it. I don’t play any contact sports so I was suspicious as to how much I would be interested in the ploy of a volleyball anime, but I found myself loving everything about it. It shows the adrenaline that every athlete goes through and all the characters are written so well.”
Favorite movie: “Captain America: The Winter Soldier. I grew up with the Marvel movies and loved the second Captain America the most. The suspense in the movie keeps you on the edge and a major plot twist in the entire franchise is revealed in this movie. The cast has so much chemistry and I just love every second of it.”
Ambition: “Being a junior this year, I’m especially focused on my academics. I want to raise my grade point average and rank this year above all else and keep my five-year distinguished honor roll streak. I want to also play a more active part in my school’s extracurriculars, which Is why I’m joining many clubs and doing a sport on top of that.”
What topics/things are you passionate about?: “I’m extremely passionate about anything literature, history, culture, food and art-related. Oh, and my friends and family. I’m very much a people person.”
What inspires you?: “The upperclassmen inspire me the most. I’ve only known the upperclassman for less than a few months and I have not been extremely close with them, but they are my role models. I grew up the eldest grandchild in the family so I’m the first for everything. I haven’t had anyone to come to for guidance since I’m still paving the way for my own family, so the upperclassmen really inspire me with all the effort and dedication they put into school. I aspire to be like them.”
What three things can’t you live without?: “I can’t live without my highlighters, friends and a pillow. I know those are weird choices, but I’m a perfectionist. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been color-coding my notes so without my highlighters, my way of studying would be messed up. I need my friends there for support and help and I need my pillow because I’ve had it since birth. I can’t sleep at night without that specific pillow.”
What are you most looking forward to this semester?: “I’m looking forward to being a more active student at my school. I want to be that upperclassman that underclassmen can look up to. I want to create some change at my school. I’m looking forward to the new club I’ve had the privilege to start, the Asian-American Pacific Islander Association, and I’m hoping this club can last a long time at Cypress Lakes.”