Discus Awards

Bonnie Lei was the recipient of the first 2010-2011 Discus Scholarship awarded in September 2010. The Discus Awards recognized Bonnie for her incredible achievements in green, community service, and arts. Bonnie is a real go-getter, and I’m excited to share with you what she had to say. Enjoy!

Live ‘n’ Lauren: You founded a sister school connection between your high school and a school in rural Nepal. How did you get involved with that?

Bonnie Lei: Last summer I went on a service trip to Brazil through Earthwatch. Although I went there to help researchers, I quickly realized that Brazil’s education system was lacking, as are many other education systems in third world countries.

 I wanted to help boost education in developing countries, so I researched schools through NAMLO International and emailed the founder of the school in Nepal. Traditionally, sister schools are created by a principal or other administrator, but because I took the initiative to email the founder, I was able to create the program myself.

LL: What exactly do you provide for the school?

BL: Other classmates and I prepare creative learning materials for the students. Instead of just memorizing math problems and English grammar, I feel that it is better for students to have more creative learning. For example, for math we create things like board games to help students with percentages and fractions. For English we write creative storybooks with basic English so the students can learn the language more effectively.

We have actually been able to create many more materials than we initially realized. I’m trying to save up money to take a trip to Nepal and deliver some of the materials myself.

LL: Can you tell me about the World Youth Climate Congress?

BL: I was chosen as one of two U.S. delegates at the World Youth Climate Congress. The congress was created to get youths between the ages of 7 and 25 at an international forum where they can discuss climate change. Youths often don’t have a voice in these important matters, so this is a great way to get our voices heard.

At the forum, we created a proposal that will be presented at the United Nations Climate Change Conference "COP16." Two of the ambassadors from Mexico will be at the conference and will report back to us on the status of our proposal.

LL: You clearly love writing. What makes it so special for you?

BL: Ever since I was little I’ve been interested in creative writing. When I have free time I love to go outside with a pen and paper and just write. Recently I’ve been writing creative nonfiction, where I write about real issues in a creative manner.

I founded a creative writing club on campus, and my writing has been published in numerous journals such as Imagine, Skipping Stones, Just Poetry!!!, Teen Voices, and Teen Ink. I was also a national Live Poets’ Society winner. In addition, I coordinate an annual community Open Mic Night to promote free expression and creativity. I want to get people to open up and read what they have written.

LL: This is an exciting time for you as a senior. Do you know where you are going to school?

BL: I’m currently doing all of my college applications, which takes a lot of time. I am applying to UC Berkeley, Duke, UNC Chapel Hill, UCSD, Harvard, and Stanford.

LL: What do you want to major in when you get to college?

BL: I want to be a research professor after college, so I want to major in environmental education. I want to combine my love for education with my love for the environment.

I also hope to create an organization in communities that lie on biodiversity hot spots. I want to help maintain biodiversity while also empowering the communities that surround them.

LL: You participate in many activities outside school. Do you plan to pursue your efforts in college?

BL: Yes. I am actually in the process of contacting professors at potential colleges to speak with them about continuing my work with community service and the environment.

LL: Let’s take a trip back to the past. How did you feel when you won the Discus Awards Scholarship?

BL: I was so excited. I actually learned about the Discus Awards through a friend and applied on a whim. I was happy when I got the award but when I found out that I got the scholarship I was shocked beyond belief. I never thought it would happen.

Filed under: Live 'n' Lauren • All-Around High School Students • Meet the Discus Winner