Attending: Kent School
Hometown: Shanghai, China
Eugene came to the United States experiencing culture shock and curiosity about the new environment he was in. Little did he know in just three years he would thrive in his passions of music and baseball. Being part of the School’s orchestra, he was led by Juilliard alums James and Krystyana Czeiner. “They believed in me and told me I had the talent,” he says. “That helped me a lot.” His most memorable moment was during the Talent Show when he and a friend performed a duet of The Swan. He described the audience’s reaction as “a small earthquake”. Moments like this helped him become more sure of himself while playing the cello and leading younger students in the Chief of Cellos role. Eugene also played on the Varsity Baseball team here. After taking time away from the sport in China, he was eager to get back on the field when he arrived. Being a part of this team made him appreciate everyone’s shared determination and support if things didn’t go their way. He explains how at Rumsey, the culture is to rise above loss or failure. “We don’t blame each other, we encourage everyone,” he says. Eugene is a prime example of how you can pursue multiple passions at Rumsey. Without surprise, he will miss this community that lifted him up and encouraged him to become the bold talent he is today.
