CITY OF INDUSTRY – Skylar Fan, a senior at Glen A. Wilson High School, is on track to
become the first student at her school to graduate with a quad biliteracy award in Mandarin,
English, Turkish, and Spanish. As a dedicated student in the International Baccalaureate (IB)
program, Fan exemplifies the program’s focus on global awareness, intellectual
development, and critical thinking.

Fan applied for the U.S. Department of State’s National Security Language Initiative for
Youth (NSLI-Y) program and was selected to spend the summer of 2024 in Ankara, Turkey.
During her time there, she immersed herself in Turkish culture and significantly improved her
language skills. She recently earned the “Superior” rating in her Turkish oral proficiency
interview from the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL).

“My love for language grew even deeper during my time in Turkey,” Fan shared. “I’m thankful
for the opportunity to connect with people through language and for the guidance of my
teachers, peers, and Dr. Kenfield in helping me pursue my academic and career
aspirations.”

Fan’s linguistic journey began in 2017 when she moved from Shenzhen, China, to the U.S.
as an English learner. She quickly adapted, exiting the English Language Development
(ELD) program by seventh grade and has continued to excel ever since.

In addition to her academic achievements, Fan is deeply involved in extracurricular activities,
including serving as president of the Linguacats Club, a student organization dedicated to
promoting language learning and cross-cultural awareness. Under her leadership, the club
works to connect students with valuable resources like study abroad programs and
language-learning opportunities.

Fan also serves as editor-in-chief of Paw Prints Weekly, her school’s newspaper, and has
been refining her journalism skills through a local internship. As she looks to the future, she
plans to pursue a career in linguistics research.

“Fan’s remarkable accomplishments and determination demonstrate what is possible when
students are driven to succeed,” said Dr. Alfonso Jiménez, Superintendent of Hacienda La
Puente Unified School District (HLPUSD). “She inspires others to pursue their passions, and
we couldn’t be more proud of her achievements. We’re excited to see what the future holds
for Fan.”

Fan has received early admission to the University of Pennsylvania, where she intends to
pursue a double major in Linguistics and Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures. As she
prepares for her upcoming IB exams, she is poised to continue her academic journey with
the same dedication and passion that have defined her achievements so far.