Copper Hills High Outstanding Graduate: Accomplished artist and academic

By Jet Burnham | [email protected]

Copper Hills High School Sterling Scholar Adviser Kyle Jensen is impressed with this year’s sterling scholar candidates.

“They're so impressive, they drive me to want to be better because I have to match them,” he said.

Jensen said CHHS’s Visual Arts Sterling Scholar Mimi Tran, who was selected as state runner-up in her division, is kind, friendly, extremely humble and one of the most accomplished sterling scholars he’s ever worked with.

Four of Tran’s paintings were accepted and showcased in the Springville Museum of Art Annual All-State High School Art Show in 2020 and 2021. One of the pieces was the first oil painting Tran ever created, which earned her a scholarship to the Masters Academy of Art and an invitation to the state capitol.

Oil painting is Tran’s favorite art medium, but because of the high costs of the materials, she only tried it for the first time in her AP art class last year.

“Artistically, Mimi fell in love with the medium right away—after that, her art took off like a rocket,” the AP art teacher Allan Ludwig said. “One of her artistic strengths is the attention to detail. She always strives to, not only do her best but to continually make improvements. She's a great student who is kind, level-headed and a joy to work with.”

Jensen said Tran’s growth over the past few years is because she seeks out critiques in order to improve.

“The first thing I noticed about Mimi is her fearless expression of individualism, but also her thirst for feedback,” he said.

Tran said her family dynamics shaped her to be independent and unafraid to make and learn from mistakes. Her mother immigrated to the U.S. with no knowledge of the culture or language, so Tran struggled to develop language and social skills. At a young age, Tran learned to draw pictures to help her communicate with others.

“I then developed a love for art because it helped me connect with people despite language barriers,” she said. “I took that skill and kept working on it until today. I hope I can further my talents so I can speak to even a wider range of audience.”

Tran was pleased to be selected as a sterling scholar and recognized for her hard work in art, academics and service. She maintained a 4.0 GPA while taking multiple advanced placement courses, concurrent enrollment and honors classes. Her academic performance placed her in the top seven percent of her graduating class.

Tran has also been involved with the student club HOSA, a health career organization that holds competitions and social activities.

“This organization has given me a great opportunity to do amazing service projects, be a great leader, and win some medals along the way,” she said.

Tran volunteers as a tutor at her church, teaching Vietnamese classes to children. She has also been an active member of the National Honor Society.

NHS Adviser Brittany Maloy has been impressed with Tran’s character, scholarship, leadership, and service.

“She is generous with the service she gives, going above what is expected and earning extra service hours every term,” she said.

Tran’s future plans include a career as a pharmacy technician or pediatrician, getting three cats, and traveling the world to try new foods and learn new languages.

“I would also love to explore ceramics to make a weird-looking pot one day,” she said.