(October 22, 2002) — Through drizzling weather, Jessica Kang can be found playing tennis for Glendale High School against Pasadena. Kang is winning by two full sets. She says she feels the pressure of competition but works well under it. The result of her determination is apparent in the final score: 18-0, Glendale is victorious. Her coach, Ara Movsessian, says, “During summer practices and preseason games she really dominated… no one could stop her,” Though her strokes are strong, Movsessian says, lately, Kang has had difficulty staying consistent. While approximately 90% of freshmen take PE to fulfill physical fitness requirements, Kang dedicates nearly 13 hours a week to tennis. She attends regular practice sessions and takes private lessons. As the number one women’s single JV player at Glendale High, she says she feels it is her responsibility to win. Kang began playing tennis in the fourth grade. “In the beginning my parents forced me to play, but now I like it,” says Kang. “It’s fun working as a team.” Not only an athlete, she also plays the flute for the Glendale Symphony Orchestra. She practices with the orchestra on Monday nights from 6-9 p.m. Kang often finds herself going from tennis to orchestra and then home, starting her homework around 9:30. On Tuesdays, Kang volunteers at the Verdugo Hills Hospital from 3-8 p.m. With all her extracurricular activities, Kang turns to reading to relieve stress. “When reading I can relax and my stress goes away,” says Kang. Her favorite books include the Redwall series by Brian Jacques and the Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling. She says she feels that reading is an essential part of being a student.