They say if you want something done, give the job to a busy person, well, it seems like a lot of people have been giving tasks to Choco Li.

Li, a Cotter senior,  is a highly accomplished student, but school is not the only thing Choco is excles at, she is also involved in tennis, Congressional debate team, math team, speech team, mock trial, NHS, dorm council, tutoring/TA, weight training, and is a part of the Winona Figure Skating Club.

She also takes trips out to Saint Mary’s University to take an optional physics class. In her free time, she enjoys reading, watching movies, and traveling.

Li  has attended Cotter for four years since coming from Beijing,  and has been having a positive impact on the Cotter community since her freshman year.

Her habits developed in her younger years in China.

“I focused a lot of time on school work and extra classes to stay on top of classes. On Sundays I get to visit my grandparents on both sides, then do a ton of homework. ”

Choco chose to join the Cotter community because it is a boarding school for international students and “Winona is one of the safest college towns.”

Last summer, Choco attended summer programs at the University of Notre Dame and the University of Chicago. While at the University of Notre Dame she took a life science course.

“The life science course included a lab course on cell biology in the morning and a course with field trips on ecology in the afternoon. Outside of the courses, the pre-college program organized masses, sports events, volunteering, and movie nights. I enjoyed a lot of the events and it was fun to be surrounded by a diverse group of people who share the same curiosity but in vastly different subjects.”

While at the University of Chicago she participated in a Pathway program with a lab on molecular engineering. She learned about the chemistry behind solar energy and built panels of solar cells during her three week stay.

“The knowledge, peers, and activities really made it an eye opening experience,” Choco said.

At the moment Choco is still waiting for her admission decisions from a majority of the schools she applied to. In college she would like to major in Astrophysics. She would like to research in her academic area, and move on to be a research supervisor or a project manager.

 

Throughout her day she tries to make the most out of her time and resources, and continues to stay curious.

Though she wants to major in Astrophysics, she would also like to spend some time studying the arts. Whether that means taking more art classes, a year of choir, or maybe even take part in a play.

“Choco is a very nice and is always willing to help you if you need it.” said Sarah Sun, Cotter senior.

Sun and Li have been friends since freshman year, they enjoy doing yoga together.

Sun described Choco as very organized and is always trying to get better. “She doesn’t always study, she does actually enjoy her free time,” Sun said.

“

”

Li has found success in many of her extra-curricular activities. She went to State for speech her junior year, and she is also proud of the AP tests she took, and is very happy with her results.

Mrs. Fitch, the co-principal of Cotter, is impressed by “Choco’s positive attitude, strong moral character, and willingness to help others learn and perform better.”

“Another example of her commitment to her academics is the rigorous and methodical approach she had to learning the course material for AP Psychology and preparing for the AP test. She did this on her own, in additional to all her other classes, and she scored a 5 on the exam!,” Fitch said.

“Choco is an exceptional student who is dedicated to her academic and co-curricular pursuits.  She is self-motivated and willing to put in the necessary time to improve her knowledge, skills, and abilities.  She is an active learner, and on several occasions, I have witnessed her asking questions in class, looking for clarification, and paying attention to details within the teacher’s instruction.”

Li is a great example and leader to all Cotter students.

“She is a great example of someone who is working to her full potential – something we hope for in all our Cotter graduates!” said Fitch.

Choco Li is definitely an outstanding student both in and out of the classroom, and she is a great role model for future and current Ramblers, and, in a few months, watch out world, because her comes Choco.