Super kid
Published 9:00 pm Monday, March 12, 2007
Avid photographer: Takes sparkling shots of basketball action and serene landscapes.
Started photography on his middle-school yearbook staff and is continuing now with the high school’s yearbook. Also has had photos printed in the student newspaper, a local weekly and a TV news Web site.
Natural subject: “My personal favorite to do is nature. I usually capture a lot of good pictures. I can catch a downpour or sunset.”
Took photos during a hike at Hurricane Ridge in wind gusts exceeding highway speeds. “There’s a reason they call it Hurricane Ridge.” Came back with dozens of shots. “It made my day.”
Admired: Digital photography teacher Bill Trueit said Andrew’s photos are crisp and clear with a good sense of timing and composition that are more advanced than for most his age.
“I am in awe of his talent, his effort, and his kind and gentle personality,” the teacher says.
Equipment: Uses school photography equipment. Also has his own Canon digital camera, which he saved up about $800 to buy himself. Hopes one day to upgrade.
Recent assignment: Photographed the Timberwolves at the recent state basketball tournament.
Typically takes between 300 and 500 shots at sports events, deleting as he goes and choosing the best for final editing. Has also photographed school assemblies and concerts.
That said: Photography “is not my career, but it’s my hobby. … I’ll keep them as my treasures, my souvenirs.”
Aims to attend a top university and pursue a computer science degree.
Runner: Competed in cross country for the first time this year. “It was great. A lot of people like me now. I was a bit slow but I gave it my best effort.”
Family: Has a 5-year-old brother. “Sometimes I’m a bit annoying to him.”
Their grandmother also lives with the family. She only speaks Korean, and his parents often translate for him. “I still don’t understand my grandmother’s language, but I understand her feelings.”
Languages: While English is a second language for his family, Korean is his second language. Now, he’s also learning Spanish.
Role models: Looks up to Mr. Trueit. “He is a very nice person.” Also his parents, including his father, who takes him places and helps him study math and science.
Approach to life: “My thing is to take care of my family and make sure I get to the top-level university. It’s going to take some work to get (to a place like the University of Washington), because it’s not just WASL and SAT. It’s grades and GPA, too, so I have to take care of those.”
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