Chow Shows How To Do It All

Jenna Chow is undoubtedly one of PV High’s most accomplished seniors. Headed to Yale University this fall, Chow plans on majoring in Mechanical Engineering or Computing in the Arts. She has made major contributions to the PVIT underwater robotics (ROV) team as President and CEO for the last two years, bringing the team to international competitions.

PVIT advisor and Pre-Calc Honors teacher Lorraine Norris commended Chow for her dedication to the ROV team and for always doing everything to the best of her ability. Chow’s extensive experience on Palos Verdes’ ROV team has led her across the U.S. to Tennessee, where the team met competitors from across the globe and were able to get to know fellow robotics enthusiasts. 

This past year, Chow had a large portion of the ROV competition technical report to complete, and despite being a senior and being tied up with APs and college visits, she successfully completed her work. 

“I mean, she could’ve slacked off on it but when she turned in her part of it, it was just really beautifully done,” Norris said. “She really put in all the effort that was really necessary to have a competition level report. That’s just the kind of person she is.”

Chow’s close childhood friend Katie Choi described Chow as a “work-hard, play-hard” type of person who is always open to helping classmates with academic questions. 

Norris detailed how Chow is a “very smart, very technical and super engaged” student. 

“There’s a very serious, very studious side of her but there’s also…someone who loves life, there’s that side of her too,” Norris said. 

As Choi explained, “There’s never a dull moment with her.”

Outside of school, Chow volunteers at the Orthopedic Institute for Children and runs a large Twitter account where she often posts about recent fashion news and music updates. 

Chow is also an avid music festival- and concert-goer. 

“I love standing in the pit and being with a bunch of other people who are just excited to be there,” Chow said. 

To rising seniors and current high school students, Chow has some sound advice: “Getting rejected…shouldn’t be something that discourages you…It doesn’t diminish the value of your accomplishments; all it means is that the school wasn’t a good fit for you.”