For star CIF champion Ronald Chen, tennis has played a major role in his life for many years. It started with him picking up a racquet at nine and a half–and now, a fitting nine years later, he is headed off to Occidental College to play tennis for the Tigers.

Prior to committing to Occidental, Chen was considering Pomona College, Redlands University, and Pacific University. However, Occidental’s strong science department, small student population, beautiful campus, and location within Los Angeles sold it for him.

“They had programs that better fit my needs to help me achieve my goals and become successful,” Chen said.

Chen will major in biology on a pre-med track, and wants to pursue a career in the medical field after college. When he is not playing tennis, Chen loves to be outdoors whether it’s hanging out with friends or enjoying a nice day by the lake. When asked about his favorite memory at CHS, Chen thinks back to the boys varsity tennis winning Division I CIF. He treasures the winning moments he experienced with his teammates.

“I had won all my matches in tough battles and the support was crazy,” Chen said. “After we had made history at CHS by winning division 1 CIF, we went for a dip at the beach and had dinner at Buca di Beppo after. Not to mention we even had a charter bus!”

Chen would like to shout out Coach Kathy for her guidance, dedication, and determination that made the team stronger every year. He would also like to thank his friends and family members for supporting him throughout his journey. As Chen continues his athletic and academic career, CHS students can learn from his passion and dedication. Congrats, Ronald!