It’s easy to be self-conscious. Imagine walking into the grocery store with your mom who’s wearing a silly, hot pink hair clip, perched on the center of her head. Would people stare? Would people laugh? Would people judge? Even if they do, would it really matter? This hypothetical scenario was true for senior Cindy Yu and her mom, yet the answer no longer mattered. Her mom’s message of staying true to oneself has shaped and inspired Cindy’s approach to life in ways unimaginable. From the clothes she wears to the stories she reads, Cindy carries her mom’s philosophy into her creative pursuits, embracing individuality and confidence.

Sewing, one of the many hobbies Cindy dedicates herself to, stands out as a defining interest. Since she only had half a semester of sewing classes from a middle school elective, Cindy is mainly self-taught, learning through YouTube tutorials rather than following sewing patterns. For her, sewing is a “puzzle where you piece different shapes together and see if it works,” solved through trial and error. Cindy embraces imperfections as part of her unique and improvised process.

“I am really impatient when sewing,” Cindy said. “When I have an idea, I don’t like to wait to go to the store and get supplies. So sometimes I don’t have enough fabric. I use a lot of hot glue. But if I sewed everything the proper way, it would feel like I was in a sweatshop making items to order. By getting really weird with how I sew, I find more creative and interesting ways to do it.”

Cindy’s creations often find a permanent home in her wardrobe, allowing her to bring a bit of creativity into her daily life. Dressing up in a fashionable outfit each day is a way for her to harbor more self-confidence and to receive recognition from others. One of Cindy’s proudest achievements was her homecoming dress that she made herself during junior year. By taking apart an old dress from a Green Team clothing drive and transforming it into something completely new, the experience filled her with a sense of accomplishment and pride, resulting in an outfit that she could share with others.

“It’s really fun when you wear something you made and get to tell people,” Cindy said. “When I made that homecoming dress, it felt very validating to wear something I made in my room with my sewing machine and then go to the dance and have people compliment my dress.”

Cindy’s fashion style has evolved drastically over the years. In middle school, she refused to wear anything but skirts and dresses. But as Cindy’s confidence grew, she opened herself up to trying new fashion ideas, like jorts, inspired by the style of her favorite influencers. Oftentimes, Cindy gravitates towards wearing bright colors for the way it positively influences her mood and energy. Close friend senior Claire Perng admires her unwavering commitment to her outfits, noting how she embraces fashion as a form of self-expression and confidence. 

“She will do anything for the outfit,” Claire said. “She will walk in heels and suffer or be cold for the aesthetic. At one point we went to a DECA conference and we were going to Disneyland. She made an outfit just for Disneyland. It was really cool whenever someone would go up to her and say, ‘I really like your dress.’”

Beyond sewing and fashion, Cindy adores reading and finds comfort in the immersive worlds and diverse characters in the books she reads. Cindy and her friends often connect over their shared love for fan fiction, just one of many ways in which she expresses herself and resonates with those around her. Cindy intends to inspire her friends in the same way her mom influenced her.

“I hope that when I interact with people, I represent what is important to me,” Cindy said. “There are people who have had an impact on my life through small actions that represented a value that was important to them. So for my mom, it was that you “be yourself”, and you don’t care what other people think of you.”

True to her wish, Cindy’s compassion and excitement for her hobbies have reached the lives of her community. Close friend since ninth grade, senior Iris Cai, recalls one specific moment of Cindy’s kindness.

“You can always see her enthusiasm for everything she does,” Iris said. “It shows through her work and the way she interacts with her friends. She will go the extra mile to try to make your day. I had a chamber concert for orchestra once, and she showed up with a little bouquet of paper origami flowers. She’s very thoughtful in everything she says and does. That’s what I really admire.”

Iris also admires Cindy’s artistry and optimistic personality, all qualities that have shaped her own personality. Through seemingly inconsequential actions, Cindy brings color and joy to the lives of everyone she encounters.

“She’s a person that you can always feel very safe around,” Iris said. “She also has this great ability to bring her imagination to life and always has a mannequin with some new outfit at her house. I’m really fortunate to be close to her. She’s a very upbeat person so she brings a lot of joy to everyone. Her enthusiasm and openness with other people inspires me to become a more open person.”

Cindy’s positive impact extends even beyond her close circle of friends. For example, she took time out of her day to help create a celebratory collage for a fellow senior during advisory. History teacher and Cindy’s advisor Chuck Witschorik admires Cindy’s dedication to both her interests and academics while bringing vibrancy to her advisory group.

“Sewing, fashion, and reading are all positive things to do,” Dr. Witschorik said. “I see her as somebody who lives a really healthy balance. She enjoys those hobbies and is dedicated to her schoolwork as well. She’s also always upbeat, respectful, fun to be around and works well with other people. I notice that she’s thoughtful of others.”

As someone who constantly draws support from her community, Cindy channels her energy and creativity into her hobbies, bringing brightness and color into the lives of those around her. For her, life isn’t just about rushing towards goals, but rather cherishing her memories and finding delight in the little things in life.

“You have to be really over-invested in everything you do,” Cindy said. “Live vividly and a little oversaturated. You can fall in love with every single thing that you do, and every inconsequential thing, so do everything intentionally and enthusiastically.”