Cathy Li is a student journalist and self-proclaimed humanities person from Walnut, California. She rules over her school newspaper’s copy with an iron fist as the Copy Editor-in-Chief, striking fear into the heart of all Oxford commas. Her work for outside publications include the Pasadena Magazine, Girls’ Life and L.A. Times High School Insider, for which she’s covered everything from Roe V. Wade protests to the red carpet of the first Children’s and Family Emmys. For her journalism, Cathy received the national American Voices Medal in the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, placements in various Journalism Education Association’s write-off contests and was state champion in the Future Business Leaders of America’s Journalism event. Summer 2023 she’ll attend the Asian American Journalism Association’s JCamp to further pursue her interest in the field.

In terms of academics, Cathy loves taking classes at her local community college about niche topics ranging from linguistic anthropology to fashion history. As a Pioneer literature scholar, Cathy researches queer spaces in 1950s San Francisco and how they impacted the development of the city. She’s also working with the Chinese Historical Society of Southern California, conducting archival research that’ll be published in the forthcoming book "The Five Chinatowns: Chinese Americans and the Creation of a Multi-Ethnic Los Angeles.” Cathy enjoys English and history because they allow her to tell stories—like journalism—through different mediums, though the latter doesn’t seem to require as much creative problem solving to get past paywalls. Finally, Cathy is also her school’s Mock Trial captain and Future Business Leaders of America president.

Looking ahead, Cathy hopes to do something that involves advocating for other people who might have trouble being heard—an issue she experienced herself because of her background. She isn’t sure yet what form this will take, but is leaning towards journalism or law. Cathy cannot be more excited to be part of the HamFam, and looks forward to meeting fellow Hammies and the infamous subway rat in New York City!