“When I first came here, I would paint Burmese-themed pieces, a way to remember my country, connect different themes, by using art.”

We recently caught up with senior Laura Phyu and, after a conversation, walked over to the Richmond Art Center (RAC), her favorite place on campus and one in which she spends much time. Laura is doing an independent study in art this year.

As we walked, the signs and sounds of spring were everywhere. “I know it is a great time of year when I wake up and hear the birds chirping,” Laura said.

Art has been part of her life for a long time. She remembers being taught by a local artist back home in Myanmar “how to paint and capture my culture. So when I first came here, I would paint Burmese-themed pieces, a way to remember my country, connect different themes, by using art.”

On this day we headed to the RAC to take a photo of her with an oil painting she recently finished, depicting the Meadows from the vantage point of Brush Library. Back home she did a lot of graphite pencil/charcoal portraits and gave friends portraits on their birthdays.

In the fall she is going to Brown University but is thinking of also taking some classes at the Rhode Island School of Design. The two schools work together.

 

Year: Senior

Hometown: Yankin township, Yangon, Myanmar  

Clubs/activities: Head international student ambassador (ISA), co-president of Southeast Asians at Loomis (SEAL), Model United Nations, dance (hip-hop and jazz). Helped start a community engagement program in which children from Windsor and children of faculty come to the RAC for art activities.

On the RAC: “I have had Mr. Zunino [art teacher Mark Zunino] all four years, and he is great and fun. And that building is very relaxing. I had a math class there sophomore year, and it still had a very relaxing ambience to it, so when I was taking a math test, I was more relaxed.”

On being a head ISA this year: In addition to helping new international students, she wanted to make sure the ISAs were supported. “As a student leader on campus, you’re doing a lot of things at once and sometimes need a person to check on you ... As a head ISA, I wanted to make sure the [ISAs] I was working with were doing OK.”

On seeing snow for the first time: She had never experienced snow until her freshman year.  “I’d only seen it in the movies, so when I first saw snow, it was really cool.” 

Favorite dish from back home: Tea leaf salad. Laura called it a “savory dish.” In addition to fermented tea leaves, the dish has various vegetables and other items, a combination of textures and flavors. “It is what I am craving right now.” 

Favorite snack: “This year I live in Howe, and in Howe we are kind of obsessed with green grapes. The people on duty always get us grapes, and they’re kind of healthy and crunchy.”

If you could have dinner with anyone, who would it be? MiMi Aung, who served as team lead for NASA’s first helicopter flight on Mars. Ms. Aung was raised in Burma. “I thought she was really cool, and I remember thinking I want to meet her.”

Describe your perfect day (when there is no school): A beach day. She said back home her family would go to the beach. “A beach day with friends would be really calming, therapeutic. It would make me feel like I'm back home but with these new people.”

What do you miss most about home? “The people. My parents are there and they make the home. But also, the festivals. My favorite one is the Water Festival. … The whole country celebrates.” Known as Thingyan in Myanmar, the Water Festival marks the Burmese New Year. Multiple countries celebrate in Southeast Asia under various names. Part of the tradition is splashing water to wash away the old and welcome the new year. “Even though I miss it, I am very grateful because we got to celebrate at Loomis.” Laura was among those who recently planned a Water Festival in Hedges Pool in the Athletics Center. There were water games, food, and music.

Tell us about your involvement in dance: “I didn’t start until my junior year.” Laura has an older brother and sister who live in New York City, so she was staying with them for the summer after her sophomore year and was looking for things to do. She joined a hip-hop dance class. “It was so hard, but I loved it at the same time.” She does hip-hop and jazz dancing at Loomis Chaffee.

What is something people might not know about you: “My fun fact is we have 10 dogs.” They are all cocker spaniels. Her family kept the litters. “I’ve always loved animals.” She remembers having ducklings, birds, and chickens, and she said this summer she hopes to volunteer at the Central Park Zoo in New York City.