Elsa Jurrens - “Kristal Kuo’s Self-Discovery Journey”

Kristal Kuo’s Self-Discovery Journey

By J1 Reporter Elsa Jurrens

It is no surprise Kristal Kuo’s nickname is Kristal light, as she brings brightness and joy to everyone around her. Kuo is the definition of an inspiring woman. She can fill someone with desire to do something worthwhile-something that creates a better world. She inspires people with her words, actions, traits and ethics. Not only does she believe in herself, she believes in others. Kuo makes those around her want to be better, reach further and leap higher. Kuo is currently a senior at Creighton University on the pre-medicine track. During her sophomore and junior years of college she balanced playing collegiate level tennis and furthering her academic career. She is one of Creighton’s most decorated players as she claimed Creighton Women’s Tennis Most Improved Player, ITA Scholar-Athlete, Big East All-Academic Team and President’s Award for Educational Excellence throughout her Creighton tennis career. Balancing a heavy course load, being a collegiate athlete, and finding time for oneself is no easy task yet Kuo’s desire to make the world a better place keeps her going. “I hope to use my strengths to improve the lives of others. I know my life is more fulfilling when I use my talents to improve other people’s lives,” Kuo said. Kuo’s story starts in Los Angeles, Calif (CA) where she was born. She lived there for about four years, until she moved to Nebraska. Her father and mother wished for a quiet, small town-homey place to raise a family. “Because my parents are immigrants, they grew up in a world where they don’t feel as if they belong. They had to work so hard to attain the status they now have. Seeing them succeed influenced my work ethic and made me so grateful to be given the opportunities I have living in the United States,” Kuo said. It is no mistake that Kuo learned many of her virtues from her family. Throughout her life her family has been one for her biggest support systems. Along with family, Kuo is thankful for her relationship with God. “I am most thankful for Jesus because when there are times when I doubted myself, I feel like God has always been with and helping me fight my internal and external battles.”

One of the most important traits in an inspiring person is that they are emotionally healthy and healed. Mental health is a vital part of life. It affects how one thinks, feels, acts, and copes with life. Learning to accept the messages our bodies communicate to us is monumental. Watching Kuo’s growth physically, spiritually, and mentally has made such a big impact on “College taught the peome a lot about myple that surround self. I learned that her. ImI am a perfection- pressiveist, and I need to ly, Kuo graduated focus on my hapfrom Elkhorn piness throughout High the journey, not School in three the outcome of the years. journey,” Kuo said. She starred as Elkhorn’s tennis number one singles player all three years. Unsurprisingly, she earned many honors and awards throughout this time. Even so, after graduating from high school, she felt burnout. Kuo entered college the next year, again putting her academics above herself. She struggled mentally as a young teenager in college. “I knew I had failed when I realized I had been pushing myself too hard and tying my self-worth to how I was doing in school,”Kuo said. Thankfully, things turned toward the better her sophomore year. Kuo entered her second year in college with hopefulness and determination. After quitting tennis the previous year, she decided to go out for the Creighton tennis team. “After I quit tennis after high school it was a big success for me to play at a D1 school. I got back into something I was passionate about and put my all into it,” Kuo said. Throughout her following years, Kuo matured and grew to learn more about herself and her work ethic. “College taught me a lot about myself. I learned that I am a perfectionist, and I need to focus on my happiness throughout the journey, not the outcome of the journey,’’ Kuo said. “Having goals is good, yet beware of burnout. Learning to accept my limits has been hard, but at least I have begun to understand them.” Kuo’s narrative reminds current high schoolers to not worry about the destination of life and to enjoy the ride. Navigating high school and college is difficult. Students are faced with challenges at every stage of their academic journey but as Kuo said, “slow down and enjoy life.”

Headshot of Kristal Kuo. Photo by Kristie Kuo (Kuo Photos)