Junior Kristy He’s heart raced as her mind went blank from shock, her face frozen in a confident smile as a sparkling, silver tiara was placed on top of her carefully curled locks. The new Miss Temple City, as she took a deep breath, approached the podium, ready to begin a new journey.
“I feel really honored to be Miss TC because it gives me a chance to make many voices heard,” said He. “I love being able to talk to more people and become involved in the community.”
About four years ago, He moved from China to the United States. Fitting in was not easy, and the transition was rough.
“I would not say that I have perfect English or as good as a native, but I tried really hard to improve myself,” He said. “I would always ask my friend to correct my grammar and pronunciation when I speak. All so I could learn and be better.”
New to the country, He’s accent was prominent and fitting in was a daunting task. Despite her obstacles with transitioning to America, she was still confident in joining clubs and becoming involved in the community.
“Kristy stands out from the crowd because of the way she handles things, and how she always puts her heart into the things she does,” Junior Anne Wu said. “She’s dedicated and perseveres, always striving to be the best version of herself despite struggling with English. She has helped out the community so much, and I love how she’s always smiling at everyone around campus.”
As co-president of Society of Friends, He has no fear when it comes to public speaking and meeting new people. She and the SOF aim to create a bridge that will lead to more opportunities for special and general education students, creating a better campus life for students with special needs.
On top of that, as president of the Future Chinese Leaders of America, she seeks to provide leadership opportunities for young Chinese Americans, fostering a positive change in our community. Knowing how tough it can be to transition between two totally different cultures, He focuses her work as Miss TC around cultural peace.
“The mixture of Chinese and American cultures have changed most of my views to the world,” He said. “I’m planning this cultural festival because I love this community and I want to present it to everyone who is not involved or does not know what this community has to offer.”
Even with a supportive community, change can be difficult for new students, especially those coming from different cultures. Our Miss TC experienced this for herself and had some words of advice.
“The best way you can change your situation and life is to move out of your comfort zone and keep trying,” He said. “Just always try your best, hold on to your beliefs and just go for it. The limitation is not the sky; it is your fear. People are listening to your ideas, not your accent.”
TCHS School Newspaper