Whiz Kids: Vanessa Chan & Darren Sun, Co-Founders of the American Cancer Society Service Club

This week’s Whiz Kid article is two-fold. Vanessa Chan and Darren Sun are the co-founders of the American Cancer Society Service Club. Their first service project was on Aug. 28 as volunteers for the fashion show “Absolutely Beautiful”, a survivor event held at the San Marino Center. Check back for photos of the event this Thursday on Patch. This event served as the launch for the American Cancer Society Southern California Chinese Relay for Life –“Friends of Chinese Survivors” support team. The goal of which is to create a bilingual support team for cancer survivors and families.

The first of our Whiz Kids

Whiz Kid's Name: Vanessa Chan          

Whiz Kid's Age: 14

Whiz Kid's School: San Marino High School, Freshman

Whiz Kid's Accomplishment: Co-founder of the San Marino High School American Cancer Society Service Club. Vanessa has participated in team club basketball since fifth grade. She also plays softball, volleyball and participates in dance. Vanessa is more than just an athlete but also a musician. She plays the violin and the piano and will be going out for the San Marino High School’s Marching Band Drum line this fall.

Whiz Kid's Key to Awesomeness: The key to Vanessa’s awesomeness is not just her determination and passion, but her experiences. As someone who’s had two family members receive cancer diagnoses, she full well understands the solemn reality of a disease that knows no boundaries in age, gender, or ethnicity. Both her grandmother and mother had cancer, and even from a young age, she’s known that even though they beat their disease, countless other families have not been so blessed.

It is with this experience, Vanessa’s own personal history and the trials she went through, that she has dedicated her time towards co-founding the San Marino High School American Cancer Society. Her hope is for the opportunity to move the race towards defeating cancer, one step forward. As an athlete, Vanessa is more than aware that teamwork is vital in accomplishing anything, a mentality she has applied to cancer. It is in the small steps, the gradual progression of any movement, that is important. Whether just spreading awareness on cancer, fundraising for the cure, or simply being there as support for others who have cancer or know loved ones with cancer, the first step in the right direction is often times the most important one.

Bonus Questions:

What is your favorite food: Pasta and noodles
 

What is the last book you read for pleasure: I Am Number Four    

If you had the power to change one thing in the world, what would you change: I would have everyone respect each other and end selfishness.

The Second Whiz Kid of the Week

Whiz Kid's Name: Darren Sun   

Whiz Kid's Age: 15            

Whiz Kid's School: San Marino High School, Sophmore

Whiz Kid's Accomplishment: Co-founder of the San Marino High School American Cancer Society. Darren also participates in track, plays in the San Marino High School Marching band, and is on the debate team.

Whiz Kid's Key to Awesomeness:

The key to Darren’s awesomeness is equal parts humility and vision.  Although he considers himself an average, typical young teenager, his drive to be the vehicle of change in the world, be it small or significant, is a rare quality indeed. Darren has never been one to let circumstance, either the hard times endured by his loved ones, himself, or strangers, stand as an obstacle to improve the world.

Darren is the Co-Founder with Vanessa Chan of the San Marino High School’s American Cancer Society Service Club. The idea that “everybody has a friend or family member who has suffered from cancer,” as Darren puts it, is sobering indeed. But Darren hopes that the club he has co-founded will make an impact on the cancer community both on the local scale, and perhaps even on the state or even national level in the future. This bright and driven young man exemplifies the idea of “being the change you want to see in the world.”

Bonus Questions:

What is your favorite food: I eat everything.

What is the last book you read for pleasure: The Hunger Games    

If you had the power to change one thing in the world, what would you change: I would rid the world of disease.