At Santa Fe, senior Emme Shum has become known for more than her academic achievements. Through music, service and simple acts of kindness, Shum has built a reputation as someone who brings people together and makes her community feel more welcoming.

Shum, who is taking five AP classes this year while balancing orchestra, tennis and several other organizations, said her drive comes in part from her family.

Both of her parents immigrated from China where they later met while attending University of Central Oklahoma.

“I definitely think that my family has shaped me because we’re a really tight family,” Shum said. “We really all care about each other.”

That close-knit upbringing helped shape Shum’s approach to school life: one built around community and connection. She’s heavily involved in orchestra, performing not only with the school program but also with the Oklahoma Youth Orchestra.

Music has become one of the biggest parts of her life. Through the youth orchestra program, Shum has helped organize performances and fundraising events, including small ensemble concerts that raised thousands of dollars to support the program.

“It’s really cool,” Shum said. “We raised upwards of like $16,000 for our program all through quartets and duets.”

She also serves as Santa Fe’s orchestra council president, helping organize social events and the program’s annual car wash fundraiser.

Despite her busy schedule, Shum continues to look for ways to connect people to new experiences. One of her favorite memories of high school is running the Chinese booth at the annual culture fair. 

“I think it’s so awesome,” she said. “Everybody from the school is there, and you get to introduce them to Chinese culture.”

Shum’s commitment to community extends beyond school activities. She volunteers at Science Museum Oklahoma, where she helps demonstrate experiments and interact with visiting families.

“Just introducing families to science—it’s really awesome,” Shum said. “It’s cool to see kids getting inspired.”

For those who know her well, however, Shum’s greatest impact comes from the way she treats people.

Karla Le, a longtime best friend who met Shum in elementary school, said her kindness is what stands out most.

“Emme is super motivated and driven,” Le said. “If she sets a goal, she’ll do everything she can to accomplish it, and that encourages the people around her to pursue their dreams too.”

Le said Shum also has a way of making others feel included, even in small moments.

“She sees the light in everybody,” Le said. “If someone doesn’t have a partner or friend, she’ll step in and be your friend.”

That attention to others is something Shum says she values deeply. To her, community means making sure people feel seen and supported.

“Humans are social creatures,” Shum said. “It’s so important that we find our group of people.”

She believes the diversity and openness of Santa Fe helps create that environment.

“There are so many different cultures and people here,” Shum said. “It makes you want to experience everything.”

Shum’s high school experience reflects that philosophy. From early morning rehearsals and tennis practices to late nights studying, she has spent the past four years trying new things and embracing every opportunity.

“My mentality in high school [is], ‘Don’t knock it until you try it,’” she said.

After graduation, Shum plans to attend Emory University in the fall to study psychology on a pre-med track. She also hopes to continue playing music in the university’s symphony orchestra.

For now, though, Shum says the moments she will remember most are the simple ones: laughing with friends, sharing struggles after difficult tests and building connections along the way.

Those moments, her friends say, are exactly what make her impact so meaningful.

“Her kind and bright presence just exudes warmth,” Le said. “She makes everybody feel welcomed and appreciated.”