Sept. 11, 2023—Cypress Falls High School senior Ava Lam is a three-time All-American cheerleader in her second year serving as captain, and also participated in the MIT Introduction to Technology, Engineering and Science summer STEM program.

School: Cypress Falls High School

Age: 17

Grade: 12

Accomplishments: Lam excels both inside and outside the classroom. She earned All-American cheer honors three consecutive years and is in her second year serving as cheer captain. She is also a Kay Club officer and Science Olympiad captain, and participated in the prestigious MIT Introduction to Technology, Engineering and Science summer STEM program.

Favorite class: “My favorite class is chemistry because of the fun labs, our teacher is really motivated about what she teaches and it’s challenging and rewarding.”

Favorite things to do after class: “My favorite things are cheer, cheer-sponsored activities and working out at the gym.”

­Favorite song: “Would That I by Hozier.”

Favorite website/app: “Pinterest because it’s inspirational.”

Favorite TV show: “Avatar the cartoon because it’s so nostalgic.”

Favorite movie: “My favorite movie is Howl’s Moving Castle because the animation is done very well. It’s light-hearted.”

Ambition: “I want to be able to research more in science to make the world a better place.”

What topics/things are you passionate about?: “I’m passionate about science, cheer and kindness.”

What inspires you?: “My parents and my brother. I look up to them a lot. I use Pinterest to collect images about studying and different cities that I hope to one day visit.”

What three things can’t you live without?: “My family, my bed and my water bottle.”

What are you most looking forward to this semester?: “Having fun and spending my last year with my friends that I’ve been in school with since we were in kindergarten.”