Need someone who can fold an intricate origami dragon and design a sleek robot in the same afternoon? Senior Yifan Li is perfect! Whether it’s turning a sheet of paper into art or figuring out how to make a robot the best it can be, Yifan thrives on creativity and practicality in equal measure. Her diverse interests, from art to engineering, embody her belief that there’s no need to choose just one path. 

“One way that I’ve been able to express myself is to dip my toes in everything,” Yifan said. “If I just commit to one thing, I’m losing out. It gives me more commonalities with other people. I can connect with more people. I can be someone multifaceted and I can be okay with myself not being the greatest.”

This philosophy has driven Yifan’s high school journey, where she has explored a wide range of activities and cultivated a varied set of skills. Rather than narrowing her focus to a single activity, Yifan has embraced her curiosity through art, leadership and technology. 

One of her key creative outlets lies in the art of origami, which she uses as a peaceful escape from the everyday stressors of the world. What started as a simple hobby transformed into something of meaning to her.

“It’s really special that you can build something out of a flat piece of paper,” Yifan said. “Origami starts with this one sheet of paper, or just or two sheets of paper depending on the thing, and you’re able to manipulate it in a way that you form something greater out of it.”

Yifan’s appreciation for design extends well beyond origami. Throughout high school, she has served as both a reporter and page designer for the Talon Yearbook, eventually becoming Co-Editor-in-Chief in her senior year. In this leadership role, she holds final responsibility for the yearbook’s content and creative direction. The position challenges her to balance artistic vision with practical considerations, a theme that runs through many of her pursuits.

As a freshman, Yifan joined the robotics team with some uncertainty, unsure whether the field would truly interest her. Over time, she discovered that she enjoyed robotics just as much as her more artistic endeavors. That realization came into sharper focus during a summer robotics internship, where she was able to merge her two passions — design and engineering — and deepen her interest in blending creativity with technical problem-solving.

“I can incorporate my interest in design into robotics,” Yifan said. “Thinking about which way you can make it to be efficient, and also work well, you have to have that creative mindset.”

Yifan’s position on this subject is a reflection of her larger philosophy when approaching life: creativity can enhance even the most technical tasks. Close friend senior Alicia Ran notices how Yifan’s thoughtful and creative approach shines through in her personal relationships.

“Every birthday I had, every holiday we spent together, I got a card from her, and she also made me a bouquet of flowers out of origami, and that’s so sweet,” Alicia said. “Some people don’t have the emotional maturity to even tell you they’re thankful for you, but Yifan will go out of her way to show you, beyond that, how much she cares about you.”

Yifan’s commitment to her friends is mirrored in her leadership style as a senior member of the robotics team. As someone who once found it difficult to communicate her own needs when she was first learning, Yifan now ensures that she remains approachable and attentive to the needs of others. Close friend senior Tiana Salvi notes feeling the impact of her infectious energy and value given towards others when asked what advice she would give Yifan for the future.

“One thing that I would tell her is keep bringing that fun energy and bubbliness everywhere she goes,” Tiana said. “That’s the biggest thing that attracts people to her and makes her the brightest person in the room. Despite what she might go through, and the challenges she might face as she navigates careers and school outside, just never lose that individuality, because I think that’s what makes her special.”

Yifan’s positive attitude and resilience shine through in every setting, including the classroom. Brigid Miller, Yifan’s English teacher for the past two years, commends her for consistently bringing an upbeat outlook and active engagement to every lesson.

“Maybe there are three tests that day, maybe there’s a big project, maybe she didn’t get enough sleep,” Miller said. “You’d never know with the positivity and the smile and the humor. They are always ready to go and ready to engage.”

Her admirable effect on others is just one dimension of Yifan’s multifaceted personality. Her dedication to art, technology, leadership and human connection all stem from the same emotion — her desire to explore, grow and share her experiences with those around her. For Yifan, her legacy is simple yet profound. 

“I want people to know that I’m multidimensional,” Yifan said. “I want people to know me as someone who’s not shying away from trying new things. It’s beautiful that I get to experience so many things and I get to meet so many other types of people. I approach life with an open mind and there doesn’t need to be a set plan and I can take it as it goes.”