Hello
Hello! I’m Elena, an 8th grader at McCall Middle School in Winchester, MA. I love to study, play violin, paint, play soccer, run, swim, and volunteer. Studying gives me a chance to challenge myself academically, while music and art let me express myself artistically. Outside of academics and arts, I like to stay active by playing soccer, running, and swimming. Volunteer work is also a big part of who I am, and it lets me give back to my community and connect with others.
Me (Left) and my younger sister, Aria (Right)
Violin
I started playing violin when I was four. Over the years, I’ve dedicated thousands of hours into my music, practicing, going to lessons, and constantly trying to improve. Violin has helped me develop my appreciation for music and made me realize that hard work and practice are the key to success.
Academics
Academics and school play a big part in my life. I mainly focus on STEM-related activities. Recently, I’ve begun exploring AI, robotics, and astronomy
Art
I love creating art; specifically, I love to paint with acrylics and sketch. I can express myself through art and create whatever I want to. I’ve been taking lessons since I was six, and I want to keep improving!
Sports
My main sports are soccer, running, and swimming. I’ve played soccer for four years. It’s taught me teamwork, sportsmanship, and collaboration, and helped me become stronger, both physically and mentally. It has also improved my ability to work under pressure. Over the years, I’ve built strong friendships with the people on my team.
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I love running and have since started entering 5k races in my town. It’s helped build my endurance and stamina.
Community Service
Last year, I started volunteering at the Winchester School of Chinese Culture (WSCC) as a TA. I helped manage a class of preschoolers once a week. I am continuing to do it this year. I’ve also helped teach at Ku’s Taekwondo, a local taekwondo dojo I was a part of.
In the past, I’ve also visited nursing homes and senior living centers with chamber groups and orchestras to perform for the residents.