Aryana Bharali

“When I get into an activity, I try to gain experience and use that experience to help others. I really enjoy helping people and providing guidance to them. I want people to remember me as someone who’s willing to use my knowledge for the better and make an impact on others’ experiences,” Justin Chen (12) said.

In a world dominated by specialists, Justin Chen (12) stands as a remarkable outlier. Not only does Justin excel in the corporate realm, but also on the tennis court, where the demands of strategy and precision mirror those found in the domains of machine learning and numerical methods. These complementary dimensions of his life synthesize to shape a versatile individual that embodies a blend of business sense, coding ingenuity, endurance, and mathematical exactitude. 

As a freshman, Justin arrived on campus eager to explore and embrace new opportunities. He saw business as a dynamic playground that would allow him to do just so while simultaneously expanding his knowledge. Justin embarked on this journey of self-discovery by taking Principles of Business class at school and joining DECA . 

Fascinated by the intricacies of stocks, Justin charted a course of finance for his first two years, but starting in junior year, he decided to further explore the multifaceted aspects of business by pivoting his primary focus from finance to marketing, all the while maintaining his financial endeavors on the side. Justin viewed marketing as a journey of endless learning opportunities.

“There was a lot of stuff on my plate at this point, but it was all worth it because I was learning all this new information along with business management and accounting,” Justin said. “It was like a simulation or a video game because I was so immersed in the learning experience.”

Junior year also marked a profound shift because the community aspect of the club settled in as he involved himself in DECA’s mentorship program, where he provided guidance to a cohort of underclassmen. 

“Even though Justin and I were on different teams and competing in different events, we were able to relate to each other in the sense that we shared the same goal in selling a product to a judge, so he was very willing to give me valuable feedback,” DECA member Nelson Guo (11) said. “He doesn’t make generic comments but he’s thoughtful in what he’s saying.”

Justin’s friends also acknowledge his ability to cultivate connections and offer support beyond the boundaries of school and athletic settings. Close friend since sixth grade Gautam Bhooma (12) attests to his reliability and attentiveness when confiding in him. 

“He’s very trustworthy,” Gautam said. “I can tell him anything I really want to and I know he’ll keep it to himself. He’ll give me genuine advice on anything, which is one of the things I value most from him. He’s attentive and a great listener whenever I tell him anything . He’s just a great person to be around.”

Justin continues to value his meaningful connections with others, he leans toward individual exploration in his coding endeavors, which he was introduced to through competitive programming in ninth grade. In following years, his commitment to computational thinking deepened as he ventured into more theoretical aspects of programming. 

His commitment to refining his skills extends far beyond programming and weaves into his academic pursuits. Regardless of the subject matter at hand or the challenges it presents, he consistently invests his utmost effort to excel as a student. 

“He’s a very diligent, responsible, and organized student,” Upper School history teacher Chuck Witschorik said. “He really made an effort to practice different skills. 

Justin’s tenacity propels him to thrive in the world of mathematics. His appetite for mathematical challenges fuels his fervor for competitive math — an interest he pursued since his middle school years. Justin attributes his proficiency in organization to his active engagement in STEM activities, allowing him to navigate his endeavors. Dabbling in various activities allows him to explore his interests and expose himself to different experiences, developing skills transferable between all. 

“My whole high school experience involves my experimentation with different fields because I always want to try new things,” Justin said. “In the end, I learn a lot more as a person if I’m well-rounded and balanced, compared to if I’m interested in only one or two subjects and learn stuff that’s niche. It’s always better to know a broader range of subjects.”

Justin’s approach to engaging in a multitude of subjects signifies more than just a journey of personal growth; it reflects his aspiration to empower those around him. He firmly subscribes to the notion that every experience, irrespective of its nature, harbors the potential for growth — a philosophy that he deeply ingrained in his mind. 

“When I get into an activity, I try to gain experience and use that experience to help others,” Justin said. “I really enjoy helping people and providing guidance to them. I want people to remember me as someone who’s willing to use my knowledge for the better and make an impact on others’ experiences.”