Nusem Yu
Nusem Yu’s energetic and joking personality has made him one of the most unique students at Berkeley High. Nusem, a senior from Academic Choice, is senior editor-in-chief of the yearbook as well as an exceptional student.
He has posted a solid 4.1 GPA in his four years of high school, and is one of the most studious students at Berkeley High. Voted ‘most stressed’ by his fellow seniors, Nusem made it a point to take difficult classes, saying “I wished to take the most rigorous courses provided by the Advanced Placement (AP) system at our school … I have taken a total of eleven courses counting AP and Honors courses combined.”
Along with the AP and Honors classes, Nusem has had to work extremely hard to get the Berkeley High yearbook together in the previous few years. Yearbook supervisor Gabriel Berent explains that he “has worked tirelessly as the yearbook editor the last two years. He has been instrumental in making the yearbook succeed.” Nusem’s strong spirit and selfless qualities have helped build the yearbook and keep the staff on schedule. Nusem says some of his most memorable experiences at Berkeley High were “spending 16 hour days on campus because of a yearbook deadline.” Nusem credits much of his success on the yearbook to Berent, saying “I am also proud of working with Mr. Berent the last two years. He has taught me a lot about design and photography.”
Nusem also has been on the Berkeley High badminton team for two years, in 2008 and 2010. Nusem adds life and exuberance to the team. No matter what the situation, he would always laugh and joke with teammates. In 2008, the Berkeley High badminton team beat Hercules in an extremely tight match to win the Alameda Contra Costa Athletic League title. Nusem explains, “[One memory] I will always have is playing on the 2008 badminton team”.
Nusem is also beloved by his teachers, who cannot say enough about his strong character. Shirley Sommers, Nusem’s PE teacher and friend whom he has known for four years, praises Nusem for his selflessness and care. “[Nusem] has no problems helping you no matter what your skill, your color or anything, he’s always there.” says Sommers.
English teacher Madeline Theodore appreciates Nusem’s work and character. “He is simply the most wonderful student ... He is so honest, humble, intelligent and hardworking that it blows me away.” She continues “He is funny and always goes beyond what is asked of him with a smile on his face.”
Nusem is also very appreciative of his teachers, saying “The best memories [from Berkeley High] are of all my teachers and what they have taught me … My teachers made school fun because they didn’t teach by the book, but by their life experience.”
Nusem is leaving Berkeley High with nothing but respect and appreciation for the school. “[BHS] is a great school with great teachers, a once in a life-time experience. Berkeley High is a labyrinth of amusement that never stops to entertain me.” He also is very gracious for all Berkeley High has given and taught him. He says he has “gained a higher understanding of how the world works.” He adds, “I have learned to take challenges step by step. With this I have overcome all the challenges I have been faced with.”
Next year, Nusem plans to attend UC San Diego, where he will major in either pre-med or pharmacy. “I am looking forward to the new challenges that face me. The classes, the professors and homework … But whatever challenges life throws at me, it’s training me to overcome them.”
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