From the classroom to the softball field, speech tournaments and within her interpersonal relationships, senior Joy Hu brings an optimistic outlook to all walks of life, inspiring others around her with positivity and initiative.

Outgoing throughout her childhood, Joy was elected for student council in sixth grade after delivering a persuasive campaign speech to the school. Wanting to channel her passion for speaking into a practical skill, Joy started taking the Speech elective in eighth grade. 

Though she began as an impromptu speaker, her middle school speech coach encouraged her to switch to Extemporaneous Speaking (Extemp), an event that required Joy to amass knowledge about current events. Initially, Joy navigated the learning curve of the technicalities of Extemp, which required her to prepare a fully researched, memorized 7-minute speech in half an hour about any given global issue.

“It didn’t come naturally at first,” Joy said. “Practice is the best form of improvement. I watched videos of other competitors, but what helped me the most was just willing to put myself out there and go to tournaments where I knew I really struggled.”

Beyond stepping out of her comfort zone, Joy studied global events in her free time. As she read more, she grew to love extemporaneous speaking, which allowed her to gain an increased understanding of the world. Joy further developed an interest in international relations, a passion that would continue to grow throughout high school. 

Through expanding her knowledge about the world in speech and debate, Joy learned to see the silver lining in every problem, proposing a solution in each speech that the audience can take action upon. 

“I try to end each speech with a call to action, telling the audience, here’s something we can do to help, even if an issue feels very far removed from us,” Joy said. “Whenever I do policy research, by looking at history and conflicts right now, I try to imagine how they can get better. There’s optimism in that sense of trying to push for and imagine change.”

Driven to inspire others, Joy worked with fellow speech captains, starting a mentorship program to help underclassmen learn the ropes. Beyond speech, Joy’s optimistic leadership extends to the school softball team, which she played a major role in reviving in her sophomore year.  

Initially, the softball team did not exist due to COVID and low numbers. Joy, as one of the few experienced players at the time, actively recruited for the team, speaking at class meetings and inviting friends.

Even after Joy’s efforts allowed a proper softball team to be formed for the first time in years, things didn’t come easy: the new team lost their first 4 games with 18-0 losses. 

“It was very easy to get demoralized, but I tried to stick by that mentality of optimism to not give up or be like ‘Let’s just go back to scrimmages and not actually play games,’” Joy said. “Instead, I was like, ‘Wait, no, let’s keep on playing games because I believe that we can still get better.’ I tried to foster a culture that didn’t make people scared to take risks at the plate, where people were like ‘Hey, it’s okay if I swing and miss,’ which is especially important for new players.”

As team captain, Joy helped improve team morale by bringing snacks for her teammates and starting a team tradition of gathering in a circle after games to praise each team member for something they did well. While uplifting her team members, she made sure to place a focus on commending effort over tangible scores. 

The year afterwards, around 17 people signed up for the team, bringing Harker softball back into full swing. Joy’s unwavering leadership expanded the sport and brought it back to campus to be successful. This year the team is entering the league for the first time since its formation. Teammate junior Grace Fu, who has been on the softball team with Joy since her frosh year, notices Joy’s optimism as a team captain and friend. 

“Even when our game got rained out or canceled last year because the other team forfeited, she was super positive about playing with the parents or the coaches,” Grace said. “She always sends out texts before games, reminders and stuff like that. She’s so nice. I never feel bad about reaching out to her.”

Beyond being a helpful teammate and captain, Joy is an encouraging friend in and outside of school. Close friend senior Celina Xu reflects on her friendship with Joy, which began in sixth grade when they sang in the same choir. 

“I love how she’s able to just find the little ‘joys’ in things,” Celina said. “She learns how to see the best in everything, regardless of how dire the situation is, and that’s very important because I’ve definitely picked up some of that from her.”

Joy brings her positive attitude both to moments with friends and when learning in the classroom. Her values shine through her performance in classroom discussions, as she consistently stays true to her beliefs rather than slipping into a negative stance on topics. History teacher Byron Stevens, who taught Joy AP European History in her sophomore year, highlights how Joy offered a unique optimistic perspective. 

“Joy is completely without guile, and that’s why I find her a very refreshing intellect,” Stevens said. “There comes a point in a lot of people’s intellectual development where in order to show that you’re aware, you also have to be somewhat cynical about the world. Joy is successful in avoiding that pseudo-intellectual trap, and she can be very analytical and well-informed about world events, but she doesn’t use cynicism as a kind of faux intellectualism.”

Joy’s outlook on life ties into her passion with global policies: her love for international affairs led her to pursue the Near Mitra program, researching the impact of the 1961 Paris Massacre on modern French policy and foreign relations. In the future, Joy hopes to explore policy to address issues worldwide, working to improve the world and maintaining a positive outlook all the while. 

“My definition of optimism would be recognizing the things that are lacking: barriers and challenges, and having the courage to imagine a better future,” Joy said. “Optimism isn’t contingent on never faltering; it’s more reliant on returning to action and being able to visualize an improved status quo.”