One Amazing Story - Cai Li Kirchen

Описание: Music for this video provided by Cai Li Kirchen

Senior at East Leyden High School
Dominican University Presidential Scholarship recipient

Cai Li Kirchen exemplifies a well rounded and high achieving student here at East Leyden. She is one of the few recipients for Dominican University’s Presidential Scholarship. Cai Li earned this scholarship through exceptional academic performance and involvement outside of the classroom.

When she is not busy with schoolwork, Cai Li enjoys writing and producing her own music; this is one of Cai Li’s favorite hobbies that dates back to her middle school years. She views producing music as a way of expressing her creative drive. Aside from music, Cai Li also studies Mandarin; this is her way of building a connection with her culture and origins. Cai Li was born in a very impoverished area of China. She was adopted and brought over to the United States at the age of just one. This created many challenges related to cultural identity that Cai Li has had to overcome. However, this part of Cai Li’s life is also what makes her story unique.

After graduating, Cai Li plans to attend a four year university and pursue a career in computer science. Specifically, she intends to major in digital forensics. Digital forensics is a field that has to do with identifying, acquiring, processing, and analyzing digital information. During high school, Cai Li developed a strong interest in coding and computers in general. She also wants to lead by example for other young girls who have an interest in stem related fields but might be afraid to pursue it. To them she says “ we’ve just started to close the gender gap in stem and other male-dominated fields, so now is a perfect time to explore a career in one of those respective areas. By doing so, young women not only contribute to creating change for the better, but also get to pursue their dreams”.

A fun fact about Cai Li: Cai Li plays both the electric and acoustic guitar

#LeydenPride