Liên Hoa Torres never really thought about her voice.
Neither of Torres’ parents spoke English growing up. So, when she found out that she was a state finalist and had won runner-up for English Sterling Scholar, it meant more than just another award; it was personal.
“As the daughter of an immigrant who is a native Spanish speaker and a mother whose first language is Vietnamese, English isn’t really something I imagined that I could excel in,” Torres said.
As The Highland Rambler and Highlander editor-in-chief and a Highland cheer captain, she makes her voice heard when it comes to the things that Torres is passionate about.
Not only is she a leader in the communities that she is a part of, but also a voice for those who often go overlooked. Her column entitled “Use Your Voice” covers expanding your social circle, making changes to stop violence, and more.
“As a person of color, I get so tired of calling out all the unfair racist things that happen at Highland and the excuses given when there’s no equity in representation,” Torres said.
Torres’ family was ecstatic when they discovered that she had won this award. After countless hours of writing articles for the Rambler and studying for AP level classes while also balancing being on the varsity cheer team and Dance Company for all four years and a competitive dancer, all of the hard work had paid off.
But before the application process began, the question that loomed was which category Torres would apply for. As a student who excels in many subjects – math, science, dance, and English – she had many options. But ultimately, it came down to the way that English can contribute to any future career Torres may partake in.
“Being the English Sterling Scholar at my school doesn’t mean I’m not exceptional in the other categories,” Torres said. “I chose English because I’m a well-rounded student and I believe language arts skills are fundamental to all academic and career goals.”
Torres’ writing isn’t just words on a page, it’s an art. Through her role as Rambler editor-in-chief, she has published articles that have reached the student body and beyond regarding topics such as a unified track, Highland’s former step club, and her thoughts on how the district is conveying mixed messages regarding a walkout.
But by far, her most prideful article is one that was published in The Salt Lake Tribune focused on Utah beauty standards and how those norms affect young girls that don’t fit the status quo.
“I’m a 16-year-old Vietnamese-Mexican girl growing up on Salt Lake City’s east bench,” Torres wrote in the article. “I have black hair and melanated skin. I don’t blend in with my white peers, and I never will.”
Torres’ mom, Thanhtung Thantrong, took the article as an understanding into her daughter’s life.
“Liên Hoa’s beauty article gave me better insight into how she feels growing up in Utah as a female of color in dance and cheer,” Thantrong said.
Torres’ writing discussed difficulties with Utah culture and how it can oftentimes be difficult not to compare oneself to the blond, unnaturally tanned girls that are participating in sports like dance and cheerleading.
Much of Torres’ writing success she and her mom attribute to her journalism teacher, Brandon Winn.
“Having Coach Winn as a teacher, he really helped me to believe in myself and trust my instincts as a writer,” Torres said. “He has really been one of my biggest supporters as a journalist.”
At home, she is constantly encouraged by her parents and pushed to follow her dreams.
“In terms of life, I’d say my parents are my biggest inspirations and supporters,” Torres said. “They come from a very different background than I do and they sacrificed a lot and have done everything that they can to support me and to inspire me.”
According to Winn, Torres’ unique ability to write in a “clean” manner as just a freshman made her a student that stood out immediately. Her admirable writing caused Winn to ultimately recruit her as a member of the Rambler staff.
Her position on the Rambler has created a passion for what she is accomplishing that can be seen by many.
“It’s like an extension of herself instead of just a class that she’s in,” Winn said. “She takes a lot of pride in it.”
Although she has presented her strengths and interest in English, her plans include continuing her studies in college majoring in a STEM field.
Torres is resilient, independent, and diligent. To her family, her intelligence seems as though it is inhumane.
“We jokingly call her ‘Siri’ because she’s not a kid, she’s AI,” Thantrong said.
The passion that Torres has for using her writing to communicate the voices of those who may go unnoticed is what makes her writing so pronounced.
