Pueblo student juggles work, advanced classes
Photo by Amanda Flood, Special to the Arizona Daily Star Pueblo senior Meily Dun helps out in her parent's store. |
By Eric Dominguez
Special to The Arizona Daily Star
Balancing the pressures of an education while holding a steady job might be overwhelming for a student of any age.
But Meilly Dun, a senior at Pueblo Magnet High School, has overcome these obstacles and become a top student.
Dun, 18, takes four advanced placement classes. She is a member of the mathematical-engineering-science club and the Distributive Education Clubs of America. She is also the president of Pueblo's National Honor Society.
And Dun works at her parent's grocery store every day, from the time school gets out until closing at 10 p.m.
"It's kind of hard balancing both school and work, but I've adapted to putting my homework aside and staying up late to do it," Dun said.
She maintains a 4.2 gradepoint average and excels in each of her classes, as well as being a phenomenal writer.
"Ms. Dun demonstrates strength in analyzing literature common to very few," said Kelly Crane, Pueblo's gifted-education teacher.
Her writing talent goes further than her success in high
school. Earlier this year, she received a first-place medal in
the essay competition in the Academic Decathlon.
"I felt pretty honored competing with all the other talented
high school students, and it felt really great to win," she
said.
Because of her dedication to working at the family store, she opted to miss the awards banquet. Not once did she complain, Crane said.
"It became a challenge to me to attempt to challenge her. Some students might give up or try to slide by on a great memory, but not Meilly," Crane said. "I can say with admiration that every assignment I have received from this students illustrates thought, effort and pride."
This fall, Dun plans to attend the University of Arizona, where she hopes to earn her degree in business engineering.
Her hard work and dedication stems from her parents, who came to Tucson from Hong Kong.
"They've always worked hard for what they want, and I feel that if I work just as hard, I can get what I want as well," she said.
Eric Dominguez is a senior at Salpointe Catholic High
School.
Amanda Flood is a senior at Marana High School.