Elise (she/her) is a Chinese American middle school student! She sat down to answer some of our questions — keep reading on to learn more about her.

Let’s begin with the most popular question. What’s your favorite food?

Beef noodle soup, sushi, ramen, and pho.

What sparks joy within you?

I love spending time with my family and friends and playing sports (basketball, tennis, stand-up paddle boarding, etc). I also enjoy baking and cooking.

What is capturing your interest these days?

Right now, I am at The International school of Denver, and school is definitely capturing most of my interest. There are just so many different things there like sports and clubs. Outside of school, I love playing basketball and tennis and being with my friends, family, and teammates on the court.

Is there anything you’re currently working on?

Currently, I am working on being able to focus more about my mental health. I have been taking time to just reflect on myself. I have found it nice to journal or just hang out with friends and family. Being with AGI has also kind of helped because I am in a safe and comfortable environment, and I am able to reflect on who I am.

Name a role model and/or name a woman in your life who you look up to and tell us why.

I have so many role models, but one of them is Joie Ha. She is my role model because she is so encouraging and she speaks up. She has really taught me that it is important to speak up for what's right. She has taught me so much about activism, the treatment of Asians in the past, and most of all, you have to be proud of who you are and the things that you have accomplished and achieved. I honestly don’t think I could have been comfortable speaking in front of others and being so confident in myself if it wasn’t for her.

What’s your favorite part about being an AAPI girl?

I love being an AAPI girl because it allows me to explore other people’s cultures and I am able to be a part of a welcoming and loving community. Being an AAPI girl has allowed me to discover who I am as a person. Being able to dig deeper and understand my culture better, but also being able to connect to different people is something that is so special to me. Being an AAPI girl is so special to me and I always love the connections we have with each other.

How do you like to celebrate or care for yourself and others?

To care for myself, I love spending time with friends and family. Being in a space with people that matter to me is something that is super special to me. I also love being able to travel and being outside. I love making memories with all the important people in my life because it is something that I will hold on forever. To care for others, I enjoy making them happy and making sure that they have fun. I also love being able to help them recognize how amazing they are as a person.

What does AGI mean to you?

AGI means the world to me. I joined in October 2020, just to see what it would be like, and it has changed my life. When I first joined AGI, I thought that I was going to meet other Asian girls and that was it but AGI taught me that it is important to stand up for what's right and what you believe in. AGI has provided me with a community of women and girls who are supportive and accepting of everyone there. AGI has definitely made a huge impact on my life. I really have made so many great memories with AGI and I cannot wait to see what comes next!

What’s your favorite AGI memory or event?

I have enjoyed every AGI event because each one of them is special but if I had to choose one in particular, I would choose the summer program. I was able to meet new AAPI women every day and able to meet people and new friends in person. Being at that summer program was something that I will never forget. I got to try new things, explore who I am as a person, etc.

It's always hard to choose my favorite AGI memory because I have made so many amazing memories but one of them had to be the picnic at the end of the summer program. Being able to see everyone in person and hanging out as a group was so special because over that week, we got to know each other. I honestly wish I could repeat that moment one more time.

What would you want to ask or know about other AAPI girls?

I would love to know more about how AAPI girls’ experiences growing up as Asians. Being able to see what they had to go through and how they got over that is honestly something that is so inspiring. Being able to hear their thoughts on what they thought is also something that is inspiring.

Is there an organization or project you’d like to elevate?

Throughout my childhood, my dad was part of an organization called Operation Walk. Operation Walk is a not-for-profit volunteer medical service. This organization provides free surgical treatments for patients in developing countries and in the United States. Patients suffer from debilitating bone and joint conditions, such as arthritis, and do not have access to medical care. Operation Walk also educates local orthopedic surgeons, physical therapists, and other health care professionals on the most advanced treatment of hip and knee joint diseases. This organization is so inspiring. You can tell that they want to give others a wonderful and better life.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

I am so grateful for all of the amazing memories and experiences that I have had through Asian Girls Ignite. I have met so many amazing people who have inspired me in many different ways. I would not change anything in the world for my experience with AGI. I feel that I am a part of a family and that is something that I will hold one forever!

Asian Girls Ignite’s “Student Spotlight Series,” in collaboration with Colorado Equity Compass, shines a light on student members. Students answer a series of questions using any format or platform they desire. The intention is to showcase how diverse AAPI girls’ stories truly are.

Student Spotlight: Elise Y.