City Honors International Preparatory School (CHIPS) is proud to highlight the hard work, dedication, and incredible achievements of one of our outstanding seniors, Kaien Reyes. A 17-year-old 12th grader who has been part of the CHIPS community for four years, Kaien recently received her exciting acceptance letter to UCLA, where she plans to study Sociology. Her journey to this milestone is a testament to her academic drive, athletic endurance, and the strong support system she has built along the way.
Throughout her high school career, Kaien has fully embraced advanced academic opportunities. She built a highly impressive, college-level resume before even graduating, taking AP World History and numerous dual enrollment classes at El Camino College, including Sociology, English, History, Economics, and Political Science. Furthermore, she expanded her horizons through the National Equity Lab, completing coursework with Cornell University, as well as Arizona State University classes in Personal Finance and Engineering for Climate Change.
Beyond her rigorous academics, Kaien is a dedicated athlete and creative mind. During her freshman and sophomore years, she competed in track and field, running the 100-meter, 200-meter, and occasionally the 400-meter races. She also tapped into her creative side by co-founding the school's Creative Writing Club alongside her best friend. Currently, she is channeling her athletic background into an incredible physical feat called "Run Up." Kaien is one of eight girls training to run the massive distance from Santa Monica to Las Vegas. To prepare for this grueling challenge, she can frequently be seen running around the school campus during her free time to stay in peak condition.
When reflecting on what she loves most about her time at CHIPS, Kaien points to her school counselor, Ms. Macias. She credits Ms. Macias as a steady pillar of support through the stresses of senior year, offering invaluable guidance on college applications and scholarships, and simply being a reliable person to talk to whenever she needs it.
As she prepares to become a Bruin, Kaien leaves behind a powerful piece of advice for incoming freshmen starting their own high school journeys. She encourages new students to forge their own trails, reminding them to "be a leader, not a follower, because at CHIPS, we value leadership".