Yvonne Lu has been able to pack a great deal of experience into her young life.
With a curious desire to try new things and an aptitude to excel in just about everything she attempts, the John Muir Middle School eighth-grader has been involved in an exorbitant amount of activities and endeavors throughout her life.
Along with competing in track and field for the Mustangs, Lu won medals in figure skating at Pickwick Ice Arena and is an avid skateboarder. She also says she “loves to run.”
In addition to sports, Lu was also a member of the Muir choir, plays the guitar, has been involved in ballet dancing and currently works as a print model and actress.
Not bad for someone who just turned 13 last week.
Well mannered and articulate, Lu is modest and grateful for the opportunities that have been afforded her. She is anything but the stereotypical spoiled child model/actor.
“I have been lucky that my mom has let me try a lot of different things,” Lu said. “Sometimes I will tell her about something I want to do and she lets me — most of the time. She is very supportive.”
Born in China, Lu came to the United States when she was 2. Her family settled in Houston and tried to adjust to a new country and a new way of living.
Much like her daughter, Lu’s mother — Grace Yang — was interested in a variety of activities at an early age. However, growing up in a traditional Chinese family, Yang said she wasn’t allowed to take part in many of the things she desired.
Remembering the disappointments of her childhood, Yang wasn’t about to deny her daughter the experience of learning and trying different activities.
“My parents didn’t allow me to do many things,” Yang said. “And I didn’t want that with Yvonne, although my parents might have stoped me from doing things when I was young. Now, this is my daughter, and I’m going to support her [in] whatever she tries.”
With the freedom to try many things, Lu has had the luxury of choosing activities that interest and challenge her.
Although not a huge sports fan, Lu enjoys being an athlete. However, she prefers some activities more than others.
“I like hurdling and the high jump — anything where you can jump,” she said. “I’m really not good at sports where you have to throw or catch things. I’m kind of clumsy some times.
“I also seem to do better at sports where I’m by myself.”
