ABOUT
Originally from Alaska, I recently graduated from Western Washington University (Bellingham, WA) with a history degree in June 2024. During my four years at the university, I gained extensive experience through diverse roles, including serving as the ASWWU Wavelength Director, research assistant and audio editor for WWU’s History Department, and guiding incoming Freshmen as an academic student advisor. Balancing these responsibilities alongside full-time studies, I consistently managed two jobs throughout my college career, demonstrating my passion for working hard.
In addition to my academic pursuits, I have cultivated a growing passion for video production. I have created several video essays and produced three short films, one of which earned second place in the WWU 2024 ASP Short Films Contest. Over the summer, I had the opportunity to work with Austin Temple’s media company as a production assistant, contributing to a variety of video shoots and commercial projects.
Currently based in Boston, Massachusetts, I serve as a Social Media Manager and Videographer for Bass Oasis and the Cantab Lounge in Cambridge, as well as a Video Sales and Social Media Associate for North End Motors in Canton. In my free time, I actively participate in the local film community, contributing to small movie sets in Massachusetts and working as a production assistant on an upcoming Emerson short film.
These experiences, combined with my academic background, have fueled my passion for storytelling through multimedia. By merging my interests in history and video production, I am committed to contributing to creative industries that amplify human connections and celebrate shared experiences that we all go through in this lifetime.
MY STORY
Adopted from China at the age of one, my life changed profoundly with a single decision. That choice led me to spend the first 18 years of my life in Alaska, the place I proudly call home. Growing up in the small town of Eagle River, I faced unique challenges, navigating experiences that often set me apart from those around me. In the process of discovering who I was, I developed a strong sense of self out of necessity. Living thousands of miles from the rest of the United States, I often felt a restless desire for something more—a feeling shared by many of my peers who grew up in our remote community. This longing ultimately inspired me to move to Washington to pursue a degree, even though I wasn’t yet sure what path I wanted to take.
I’ve always had a knack for recalling directors, actors, and obscure film trivia—something I once assumed was common knowledge but, in hindsight, should have been my first clue. From a young age, I was drawn to film as a form of escape from the stress, chaos, and sadness that often accompanied real life. Movies offered a way to explore and transform emotions into something beautiful, providing a refuge for navigating life. While my love for film has always been a constant, I never fully explored it beyond creating YouTube videos in my bedroom. Using my parents’ old Nikon D3200 from 2013 and a tripod older than me, borrowed (or stolen) from my dad’s collection in the garage, that is where I started to experiment with storytelling through video.
 |
|---|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
At the age of 18, my new life began under unusual circumstances as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the traditional college experience. Like many freshmen, I found myself isolated in dorms and apartments, with an abundance of free time. During those quiet moments, I turned to my hobbies for solace—watching movies and playing guitar. One evening, wrapped in a blanket and watching an indie film that was less than impressive, I had a pivotal realization: my hobbies were more than mere pastimes. They were passions. It was then that I understood my deep love for film extended far beyond casual appreciation, and something I wanted to pursue. It wasn’t until the final two years of my college career that my passion for storytelling and visual media truly came to life. This transformation began when I became the Director of Wavelength, a multimedia space on WWU’s campus. Through this role, I focused on exploring identity, student experiences, and visual storytelling, aiming to transform Wavelength from a traditional journalism space into a dynamic platform for visual dialogue within the community.
Many of the projects I worked on centered around the idea that every human being is more alike than different—a concept that resonated deeply with many people. Outside of my academic and professional pursuits, I found joy in creating, challenging my creative instincts, and exploring new ideas. Over the past four years, my experiences and personal growth have enriched my storytelling, allowing me to infuse my work with authenticity and relatability.
Over the past two years, this shift in focus led to a remarkable transformation in our multimedia production, with our audience growing from fewer than 500 followers to over 2,500 by the time I graduated in June 2024. Guided by a core belief rooted in my personal values—“everyone has a story to share”—I prioritized humanizing others through storytelling. This approach allowed me to interview, document, and highlight diverse narratives, reinforcing my conviction that sharing human experiences is essential for fostering connection in an increasingly divided world. I realized I chose to pursue a degree in history because I’m drawn to the individual stories that shape our collective past. These interactions not only deepened my appreciation for listening to others but also gave me opportunities to connect with people I might not have otherwise engaged with on campus. These experiences underscored for me the profound importance of storytelling as a tool for building understanding, empathy, and community.
"Dream it, Do It."
Inspired by the raw honesty of video diaries, I began creating my own a few years ago, capturing feelings and experiences that resonated with others. This exploration of personal storytelling eventually led me to try my hand at short films. While my earliest attempts were far from perfect, they marked the beginning of my journey. One of my short films even earned second place in a local contest, igniting a passion to improve my craft and push my creative boundaries further. After graduating in June, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in video production and film.
Despite the challenges of entering such a competitive field, I decided to follow my passion. This led me to move to Boston, a city with opportunities to grow and thrive in this industry. Reflecting on my journey—from Tuanfeng, China, to Eagle River, Alaska, to Bellingham, Washington, and now Boston, Massachusetts—I often recall the mantra once scribbled on my wall: “Dream it, Do it.”
As I navigate my 20s, I aim to go beyond surface-level storytelling and explore the complexities of the human experience. In many ways, this pursuit helps me grapple with my own questions about life as I navigate adulthood and its challenges. I am particularly fascinated by the shades of grey that define our existence—those ambiguities that resist simple answers. Through my creative work, I am dedicated to uplifting individual stories, uncovering the "why" behind each person’s journey, and emphasizing the shared humanity that connects us all. By humanizing these narratives, I hope to foster understanding and connection in a world that often feels divided.
