Perseverant Kumon Student Explains How Hard Work Pays Off
Elisa, 13-years-old, Reading Program Completer & Math Level L
Elisa has learned that perseverance is an important part of achieving goals. It may not always seem easy, but once a goal is reached, there is also a rewarding experience to look back on. With this mindset, she has already accomplished countless goals by the age of 13, and continues to set new ones for the future.
Elisa completed the Kumon Reading Program within six years and is almost finished with the Math Program. Her time in Kumon has helped her develop skills that lead her to one of the accomplishments she’s most proud of – getting into all three of the gifted programs at her school: math, advanced reading, and cognitive abilities. In 2019, she scored 99th percentile in the state of Ohio’s standardized assessments for both math and reading.
“Kumon has helped me with being more organized and self-reliant,” said Elisa.
“I think that Kumon’s method is not only appropriate but very effective. When in the water for the first time, you can either have a life jacket or learn to swim. If you use the life jacket, you will be safe and comfortable without having to do much. However, in order to learn to swim, you have to keep trying and work hard. But for the non-swimmer, once that life jacket is taken off, the feeling of panic and fear comes alive, whereas the swimmer is now comfortable. Kumon’s method is similar. Although it may be more difficult in the beginning, it is all worth it in the end.”
When Elisa was asked what she enjoys most about Kumon, she said she’s proud to be learning above grade level and is grateful for the community that comes with the being a part of the Kumon family. Kumon is an international program and Elisa hopes to expand her connections to meet more Kumon Students outside of the USA.
Elisa said, “As a triple citizen of the USA, Canada, and South Korea, I appreciate the value of multiculturism, and I think Kumon can be one way to help bring together students of the world.”
Outside of the classroom, Elisa earned a spot on her city’s Cadet Orchestra playing the cello, making her one of the youngest players of the group. Additionally, she received her Scuba Diving certification, is on a competitive travel hockey team, the local crew team, and enjoys drawing in her free time. She also loves spending time with her goldendoodle, Noodles!
Elisa’s accomplishments in school and extracurricular activities highlight her dedication to continuously achieving her goals. Her words of advice are to “stay determined and persevere, even when it becomes difficult. Don’t ever give up!”
Learn more about Elisa’s story:
Anything else you’d like to share about yourself or your Kumon experience?
Even though Kumon may sometimes not be as fun as some other activities, I know that in the long run I will look back on this experience and be proud of my hard work and achievements. I am grateful to Kumon for giving me these valuable skills and opportunities.
Who is your biggest inspiration and why?
It may seem like a cliché, but my parents are my biggest inspiration. They worked hard their whole lives, and although they did not have much guidance or opportunities early on, they achieved so much. Most importantly, they put morals above all else, which I admire greatly. I am grateful for their support and encouragement and hope to achieve my greatest potential.
What is your favorite book and why?
My favorite book is the “The Little Prince”. When reading upfront, the book is light-hearted and perhaps even silly, but when you think about the themes and dig deeper into the story, you can find a much deeper interpretation of the book.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
Because there are so many things I am interested in, I don’t know yet what I want to be, but I am interested in the medical field and may want to be a doctor and possibly be an entrepreneur. The whole world is ahead of me!