Hobbies and interests
Basketball
Volleyball
Community Service And Volunteering
Malia Yu
305
Bold Points1x
FinalistMalia Yu
305
Bold Points1x
FinalistEducation
San Marino High School
High SchoolMiscellaneous
Desired degree level:
Doctoral degree program (PhD, MD, JD, etc.)
Majors of interest:
- Public Health
Career
Dream career field:
Dentistry
Dream career goals:
Part-time Crew Member. Bag groceries, collect and reload carts, restock products on shelves, clean bathrooms and break room, take out trash, and mop floors. Promote positive customer experience by answering questions and suggesting alternative products.
Trader Joe's2023 – Present1 year
Sports
Track & Field
Varsity2022 – 20231 year
Awards
- #1 School Record in 4x100 meter race
Volleyball
Varsity2020 – 20244 years
Awards
- 2nd Team All League Rio Hondo
- All Around Player Award
- Coach's Award
Basketball
Varsity2020 – 20244 years
Awards
- Most Valuable Player
- 2nd Team All League Rio Hondo
- Defensive Player of the Year
- Coach's Award
- All Tournament Team Award
Public services
Volunteering
Habitat for Humanity — As Events Coordinator for the club at SMHS, I coordinate lunch meetings, monthly events at restores, and fundraisers. At restores, we dismantle and clean furniture for low income families2023 – 2024Volunteering
Shriners Children's Hospital — I make crafts, decorate, and donate items that make the hospital a more welcoming place. I created handmade Valentine's Day cards and prepared Easter goody bags for the children.2021 – 2024Volunteering
Pasadena Humane Society — Every year, I donate handmade products to the animals - 125 bunny treats and 20 bed blankets for dogs and cats. The bunny treats are made from toilet paper rolls and grass and the bed blankets are woven together with wool.2019 – 2024Volunteering
Operation Grattitude — Over the summer of Covid and continuing into the 10th grade, I made over 500 paracord bracelets that were sent to the military and first responders fighting overseas.2020 – 2021Volunteering
San Marino Community Athletics Association — For 6 weeks each summer, I volunteered as a basketball coaching assistant. Taught the fundamentals of shooting, dribbling, passing, and coached/refereed scrimmages.2021 – 2024Volunteering
LAC-USC Holiday — Organize donated toys and essentials, making individualized "Santa Bags". I meet with the children and give them their holiday gifts. I decorate handmade holiday ornaments and include a cheerful message to families2019 – 2024Volunteering
Pasadena Ronald McDonald House — Every month, I made 5 snack packs for families. These included a beverage, fruit, chips, applesauce, and handmade written card of encouragement. Provided dinner donations2020 – 2024Volunteering
Union Station Homeless Services — Coordinate a donation of 130 total hygiene kits and 50 sack lunches. Serve dinners to members and bake homemade desserts as donations to their meals.2020 – 2024Volunteering
Pasadena Senior Center — Volunteer at monthly events and holiday parties. Planted fresh flowers in the front patio. Record running times and work food booths at Senior Olympics. Bake homemade brownies to donate. Interact with seniors over coffee, board games, and dancing.2019 – PresentVolunteering
Main Street Attraction (Nonprofit thrift store) — Manage cash register, mark and stock items, design store displays, organize inventory, clean store, assist customers with any service2018 – Present
Future Interests
Volunteering
Philanthropy
San Marino Woman’s Club Scholarship
I have always valued a great challenge. However, to my surprise, my own passions became my greatest barriers.
Growing up, my parents threw me into a variety of sports: basketball, volleyball, and softball. My interest in basketball and volleyball flourished into my high school years, the time I began to play at a more competitive level.
As a three-sport varsity athlete, I balanced academics along with club sports. During the winter season, I juggled both high school basketball and club volleyball together; I had practices right after games or practices after tournaments. Such dedication to my athletics had made it difficult to maintain satisfactory grades.
However, being grounded in this tough situation has allowed me to understand why I commit so many hours into my sports. Being so intensely passionate about something has forced me to maneuver around difficult times, which ultimately has endorsed me to mature entirely.
Encountering late night practices and games, I learned how to manage my complex schedule to advocate for homework and study time. As I took ownership and responsibility for my schedule, I became very independent and resilient. Not only have I gained self-discipline, but I also developed good organization, having to balance all activities at once.
While I am so grateful for my parents for fueling my big interests, I am also proud of myself – for not only my accomplishments, but of who I became to be.