Hoover senior Olivia Jong is headed to the East Coast.

Boston College offered her a full scholarship for her outstanding achievements in academics and active involvement in numerous extracurricular activities.

Jong, who has a 4.3 grade-point average, was the drum major for HTMB the 2023 fall season, and is also the California Scholarship Federation president and the treasurer DSA 2024. As a freshman, she also received a Silver Key from the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards.

Outside of school she enjoys dancing, baking, piano, xylophone, and painting.

“I’m excited for new adventures, new weather, a new climate… but I’m not excited for the cold since I’ve been living in California my whole life,” Jong said.

With an acceptance rate of about 19% and 3,000 miles away, Boston University will take some getting used to by not just her but her parents as well.

“I was sad when I first found out she would be going to Boston,” said Jong’s mother, Soo Heum Yeon. “But now I have accepted that my daughter is grown up and I fully encourage her in pursuing her education.”

“I wanted to compliment her for overcoming all the challenges that came her way. Although I could never do much to help with her busy schedule, I want her to at least have a supportive parent.”

Jong decided to major in finance, as she excels in math and “love[s] making money.”

Confident and determined, she looks forward to becoming a better person and experiencing new things.

Jong said the reason she got to where she is now is persistence. Never settling for less and always striving for a higher standard no matter how stressful or difficult the situation has been the guiding force of her success.

“I’m going to know how to handle it and I’m going to master that thing in Boston College,” Jong said.

“Though they are harsh, my words of advice are to never be lazy. Keep your body moving and keep that brain running. High school is a long ride; in the end, it’s all worth it.”