Sovanwatey Nhem (Academic Year 2025-2026) – Heartfelt, growth, and memorable
Favorite Quote: “It is never too late to be what you might have been.”—George Eliot
An interesting fact about Watey is that she loves trying something new every day, whether it’s picking up new hobbies, learning a new language, or exploring places she has never been before. She also has a deep passion for music, especially playing the piano, and enjoys seeking out opportunities that push her to grow and develop new skills.
Her favorite subjects are AP Macroeconomics and AP Microeconomics because they helped her understand how the world works and taught her to think about real-life problems and decisions. The most challenging assignment for Watey is the Research Capstone Project because it requires long-term commitment, extensive reading, and the ability to stay focused on one topic for weeks. She believes the subjects that will prepare her most for life after high school are AP Microeconomics and AP Calculus because they are closely related to the field she plans to pursue and have taught her practical, real-world skills she will continue to use in the future.
Outside of school, Watey enjoys taking piano lessons and attending tennis classes on weekends. She also continues studying Chinese on weekdays and participates in workshops during Water Festival breaks. Additionally, she has contributed ideas to her family business and enjoys joining charity marathons. Her most memorable moment at AUPPHS-FA is sitting at the back of the classroom laughing nonstop with her friends. She will always remember the laughter during lunch breaks, the excitement of deciding what to order each day, and how takeout meals somehow tasted better when shared together. Those everyday moments made high school feel like home.
After graduating from AUPPHS-FA, Watey hopes to step into the real world and learn beyond the classroom through internships, travel, volunteering, and experiences that help her understand different people, lifestyles, and environments. Her advice to juniors at AUPPHS-FA: “Everything you lose will be replaced with something better.”