Eileen Zhang

A year my senior, an Editor in Chief, and involved in pretty much every extracurricular, I could previously only describe Eileen Zhang as intimidating. However, her welcoming smile and natural charisma quickly stripped away my first impression.

What I mistook for an impenetrable exterior was a pure passion, not just for journalism, but for life. When faced with questions of her ideal day and what excites her, she quickly answered that she wanted to travel. Even when she had the hypothetical opportunity to pause time and do anything she wanted, she responded that her first activity would be to drive to New York and see the world.

In this situation, she seemed disappointed that she would be alone, though. It is clear that when her own time comes, she has no intention of exploring the world by herself. Her grandma retired from being a teacher years ago, but she remains in contact with several of her students from many decades ago. These long-lasting connections seem unthinkable now, but she respects her grandma immensely for them.

With an interest in medicine, which she believes will help her answer some of society’s most important and overlooked questions, she wants to meet people that will support her. And just as her grandma still talks to her old students, Eileen wants to forge life-long connections and experience life together.

By Victoria Koretsky