I thought becoming valedictorian would feel like a win. Instead, it felt like a quiet defeat, involving an unchosen rivalry with a white boy, a speech I didn’t want to give, and an achievement that created some of the loneliness moments of my life.

In this episode, I revisit a chapter of my life where I did “everything right” on paper, but still felt invisible. I reflect a bit the model minority myth, and I finally share what I was too scared to say back then: I wasn’t proud.

If you’ve ever followed the rules only to end up feeling confused about unfair outcomes, this one’s for you ♥️

I’d love to hear your version of a "Fortune Cookie" story! Leave a comment or send me a DM on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠.

--

Topics: valedictorian, arbitrary rules, model minority myth, Asian American identity, eldest daughters, academic pressure, invisibility, unchosen rivalry, family dynamics, immigrant culture, AAPI, AANHPI