Saige (she/her) is a Korean Caucasian American high school student who has agreed to kickstart our “Student Spotlight Series”! We’re so excited to share her answers to our questions. Keep reading to learn more about Saige.

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

I love artichokes as well as any and all sushi

What sparks joy within you?

Dancing, dressing up, Christmas, musical theater, biology, and school in general.

What is capturing your interest these days?

I really love going to school and hanging out with friends. I dance 17 ½ hours a week, and I love doing so. I go to Denver School of the Arts and am a dance major.

Is there anything you’re currently working on?

I put a lot of time and effort weekly into dance. I am also currently very interested in opportunities in the medical field, and I am working on an application for a summer research internship program in the field of endocrinology.

I also have a desire to help increase medical access to those that are underprivileged and/or for those who have limited access for whatever reason.

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

In terms of a celebrity, I admire Taylor Swift because she is an advocate for civil rights, feminism, and the LGBTQIA+ community. She often incorporates her passion associated with political stances on these issues into her art (i.e., singing and performing).

I am very passionate about and interested in incorporating important issues associated with those that are marginalized in my choreography and intention in dance. I would love to be able to impact and reach others in the manner that Tylor Swift does.

I also look up to my mom. I feel that she has really made me the person I am today and I truly would not be the same person without her and the effort she puts forth into my passions and interests.

How do you like to celebrate or care for yourself?

I love hanging out with my friends and doing creative activities. I really enjoy seeing Broadway shows and creating choreography.

What does AGI mean to you?

AGI has not only taught me about different cultures and their customs but also has given me an appreciation for the power of Asian women and girls.

AGI provides a community of girls and women with shared experiences. I am able to comfortably express myself and my interests in a non-threatening environment which fosters acceptance of the diverse experiences of growing up Asian in America.

AGI has effectively provided me with numerous opportunities that not only introduced me to diverse career paths but also made me aware of the need for diversity and inclusion of AAPI women in the workforce.

What’s your favorite AGI memory or event?

My favorite AGI memory was when we went to meet AAPI judges at the courthouse. My mom is an attorney who specializes in litigation and I really enjoyed seeing what she does and how I can apply these skills to my own interests. I really enjoyed talking to all of the judges and getting any questions I had answered.

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

I find it interesting to hear about the growing-up experiences of other Asian girls and their impressions of the impact of their ethnicity and culture on their life experiences.

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

We have a dog that we adopted from a rescue who is very special to me. I am interested in supporting organizations that support the well-being of animals. We adopted our dog, Hazel, from Lola’s Rescue and I like to support this particular rescue as well as other animal rescue organizations in any way I can.

I am also interested in organizations around the holidays that donate presents to kids and families in need. I have been involved with a particular one for 3 years now called “Santa’s Elves of Denver.”

Basically, you can select a family in need, and you “adopt” the children in the family for purposes of providing presents based on their interests and extracurriculars. I would love to help or elevate this organization in any way possible, whether it means donations or volunteering.

I also have an interest in civil rights and hope to become more involved in organizations supporting the rights of women of color.

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: Saige J.