student of the year
2020
MORGAN HILL
celebrate awards
Tracy
L
Written By Robin Shepherd
LAM
ive Oak High School senior
Tracy Lam has been described
by her teachers as intelligent
and tenacious. By the time she
receives her diploma, Tracy will have
made her mark in Acorn history by
embracing opportunities to grow and to
give back.
Tracy’s family left San Jose to settle in
Morgan Hill when she was five years old.
Her parents immigrated to America from
Vietnam. Family ties, which include
her older sister Tiffany, remain strong.
Tracy’s childhood memories are filled
with family, helping in the kitchen, and
shopping with her dad.
The mentor who has made the biggest
impact on her young life, according to
Tracy, was Britton Middle School Science
teacher George Flores, who passed away
in 2017 after battling cancer.
“He encouraged me to learn all that I
needed to know to pursue my academ-
ics and to prepare well for college. Mr.
Flores had a personable, fun-loving way
about him. He knew what he was talking
about and I trusted him.”
“My junior-year English teacher,
Mr. Nguyen, was very inspiring. I will
remember him as an important figure
in my life. I felt heard, especially when
I was frustrated or pent up about some-
thing. He was a rock.”
Tracy shifted her academic and career
focus to Business and Management dur-
ing her junior year. Involvement in stu-
dent clubs and the realization that she
enjoyed managing projects influenced
her decision.
As for college, Tracy said: “I have
dream schools and safe schools.
California has great universities and I
want to stay here but I’d like to experi-
ence a larger city.”
Tracy’s volunteerism and leader-
ship on campus and in the commu-
nity includes the Associated Student
Body (ASB), Future Business Leaders of
America, the Rotary Interact Club, and
the National Honors Society.
“I began volunteering my freshman
year and it grew from there. In Interact,
we had a leadership conference with
other clubs from all over. We ran semi-
nars and learned first-hand about volun-
teering and its importance.”
Tracy’s also done fundraising for
She’s the First, which provides access to
education for girls in underdeveloped
countries. She is also a member of the
founding class of the Asian American
and Pacific Islanders.
Known as a passionate advocate for
equity and diversity, Tracy has brought
energy, charisma and dedication to every
community service endeavor. Her chal-
lenge: getting other students to join.
“You’ve got to find the right people
who will show up and work together
because it’s not about any one individu-
al…it’s about a cause.”
Tracy was taken by surprise one day
while working on a project in her AP
Government class.
“A group of adults came into the
classroom. We all looked at each other
like, ‘What’s going on?’ Then they intro-
duced themselves as the Chamber of
Commerce and handed me a framed
certificate announcing that I was being
honored with a Student of the Year
award.”
“I’m looking forward to the Chamber
awards event so I can talk about the
student volunteer efforts at Live Oak. I
learned a lot and made the most of my
time there and community service was a
big part of it.”
Her advice to the next generation of
Acorns: “Prioritize your mental health
and well-being. Don’t spread yourself
thin. Enjoy learning. It’s a journey.”
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