When teachers at Carden Academy of Huntington Beach are asked to describe 8th grader Jennifer Nguyen, they use such words as brilliant, articulate, confident, philosophical, charismatic, enthusiastic, and driven.

When family and friends are asked to describe her, they use terms like sweet, compassionate, funny, kind, adorable, and loving.

"All those phrases are 100 percent accurate," says Carol Van Asten, founder and director of Carden Academy of Huntington Beach who has known Jennifer since she arrived at the school as a pre-schooler 11 years ago. "Jennifer Nguyen is simply an amazing young lady -- one of the most remarkable we've had here in 30 years."

For starters, Jennifer is No. 1 in her class in all core subjects -- Algebra, History, French, Science, and Literature.

"She told me before this school year that her goal was be No. 1 in all of her core subjects and she did it," says P.J. Stanley, Jennifer's Algebra and Literature teacher. "She is one of the most goal-oriented students I've ever had -- and I've had some good ones. She's a very special student and young woman. She's one of a kind.

"Her drive and enthusiasm to excel sets her apart from everyone else," Mrs. Stanley adds. "She always sets the bar of achievement incredibly high and she leaps miles over what you expect her to do."

Over the course of her 11 years at Carden HB, Jennifer has received A's 99.8 percent of the time, despite the school's challenging curriculum. She's also has produced top scores in the demanding SAT 10.

The root of Jennifer's educational prowess comes from her parents, who have created a home environment that is all about education.

"Expectations are high at our home," says Jennifer, whose older sister, Jenny, is also a top student who is currently a sophomore at prestigious Cornelia Connelly High School, where Jennifer hopes to join her next year. "We were brought up having to meet or go beyond those expectations. It's a responsibility we have to fulfill. There is no other choice at our home. We knew early on we had to be successful in school."

For some children, pressure like that could shatter them and their confidence. But not Jennifer. She relishes the pressure.

"Pressure," she says, "helps me push harder and go farther." 

Jennifer is such an exceptional student and knows the material in her classes so well that she actually tutors classmates. She even helps teachers grade tests and papers. 

"Education is not a small thing for Jennifer -- it is everything to her," Mrs. Stanley says. "Learning is not something that she takes lightly. She always goes over and above to achieve academic excellence."

Wait -- there's more when it comes to this marvelously gifted and classy young woman. Jennifer is such a talented piano and violin player that she could very well become a professional musician, according to Randy Cummiford, director of the Virtuosos Russian Music Academy in Fountain Valley.

Yet instead of concentrating on her own endeavors, Jennifer teaches younger students music theory -- as a volunteer. She's been doing it for two years -- or since she was 11 years ago. 

"I love playing piano and violin, but with my school responsibilities, I had to choose between one and I chose music theory. It makes me feel great inside to pass on this knowledge."

Jennifer's level of expertise as a music theorist is that of a person who is much older and more experienced, according to Mr. Cummiford. That's why he asked her to teach younger music students.

"Jennifer is rare and unique," Mr. Cummiford says. "She's one of the most amazing people I've ever met. She's incredibly respectful, outgoing, energetic, and disciplined. She's as bright and charismatic as she is intelligent." 

Music theory, the study of how music works, is extremely difficult; it analyzes the rules of music -- rhythm, harmony, melody, structure, and form. 

"Music theory," Jennifer says, "is like math properties. You need to know it in order to play. When you understand music theory, you understand how to play as the composer intended you to, rather than going off on your own; music theory lets you know the boundaries of where you need to play. Music has limitations as to how far you can take it."

Jennifer has no limitations. Like her older sister, Jennifer plans to attend Connelly, a dream she has had since fourth grade. She also dreams of winning the Holy-Child Scholarship and Cornelian Scholar Scholarship. 

“Attending Connelly is the best decision I can make in fulfilling my dreams and expectations,” she says enthusiastically. “Connelly’s academic reputation and warm, academic environment will nurture my high school years to their highest potential and will fully prepare me for college. Connelly will help me grow and excel academically and socially, beyond anyone's expectation."

-- by Rick Weinberg