How do you think your participation changed the course of your high school years?
I always tried to stay very actively involved with the project. Sometimes school, work, modeling, etc. got in the way, but the more involved I got with the series, the more excited and passionate I became about being a part of such a unique production. It gave me so much valuable experience that I will always be thankful for. Because I was very involved with the Broadcast Technology staff in high school, it was really great to have this major project to give me even MORE experience with things that I love doing like shooting, editing, etc. I just wanted to jump at every opportunity I was given to learn more and improve my skills.

How do you feel about being on national television?
On the one hand I am very excited, but also extremely nervous at the same time. I know that people will be judging me and critiquing my decisions and mistakes. Through modeling, I have learned that everybody will NOT always like you, but that doesn't make it any easier to deal with being misjudged or mistaken for someone that you're not. I just hope that viewers will understand it is IMPOSSIBLE to present everything from four years worth of life squeezed into a few hours of footage. I just hope everyone will keep in mind that what you see on TV isn't always the reality of things, and when it comes down to it, we are all just REAL girls going through real experiences and we're going to make mistakes just like everyone else.

If you could go back and do it again, would you? Or would you choose not to? Why?
YES!!!!!!!! It was a great experience overall, even with all the ups and downs of high school. I am really excited to see how it turns out because seeing how you've changed over the years on tape is something that most people don't get a chance to do!

What are some of your thoughts about the things that happened during the four years of high school? What was your best moment? Your worst?
High school was probably one of the toughest experiences of my life. I wanted to seem confident and self-assured, but I was NOT Miss Popularity. I was the quiet girl or the "Smart Asian" as I have been stereotyped so many times, (but hey, smart's not a bad thing so I guess it's much better than what other girls got called). Most people did not understand me because I did not grow up in Kansas. When people asked me where I was from, I never knew how to answer because I was born in Egypt, yet grew up mostly in a small town in Indonesia, and also places in Thailand, etc. Plus my dad is American and my mom is Indonesian! It was so confusing for me to find an identity or a heritage, and it's still impossible for me to say where I'm "from." When I moved to the U.S. in middle school I spoke funny, dressed funny, and just got labeled the "weird kid." To avoid being "weird" in high school too, I distracted myself by turning most of my attention and energy to school, and then I got labeled the nerdy Asian kid because I got straight A's! There was no way for me to fit in, and on top of my struggle with my identity, I got picked on for being skinny, smart, opinionated, different, etc.

My worst moment was probably when I thought I lost my boyfriend, Tyler. The best part of high school was probably all the times I had with my girlfriends! My favorite memory is going to Thailand with Gina and Beth. There was some drama of course, but we had so much fun together and they've stayed my support system for so long now that I can't help but remember all the great times we had at sleep-overs, girls' nights, etc.! It's never boring when they're around!

What do you hope high school girls can learn from your story?
I hope that girls will learn never to settle for something they don't deserve. Getting pressured or picked on for being different, independent, or hardworking is not something that should ruin your life. Sometimes I let it get to me too much, but I've learned since high school to just let it go, and to feel empowered for the things that make me unique, not inferior. I hope they learn that people change, including yourself-- especially in high school-- but you should only change your views about someone or something if you are SURE that it is what you want and that it's for the better-- not just because everyone says so. The decision has to come from YOU. I hope they also learn to keep their true friends close, because they are the ones that will be there for you in the end.

Now that you have some distance, how do you remember your high school experience, was it a good one or was it a struggle?
High school was definitely a struggle, but I try to remember the good memories. Now that I'm in college though, I do NOT miss seeing the same people everyday, everyone getting in your business, all the judgments, gossip, rumors, etc. It's so great to get away from that small population of people that all view you a certain way when they really barely know you. It's still a struggle to deal with some of the same issues in college of course, but I feel like I can be more of myself without the same people around me all the time-- I feel like I have more room to breathe now.

Anything else that you'd like people to know about your experience, who you've become, and what you hope to do in the future?
My greatest hope is just that viewers will watch the series with an open mind. Before dismissing it as "another reality show" or judging the girls for some of the mistakes they've made, I hope they take the time to put themselves in our shoes and to remember that we were in high school at the time, learning, growing and messing up.

I think that through it all, I tried my best to stay true to myself, but I'm still learning who I am. I'm not perfect, and did not always deal with things perfectly... I did what I could to survive high school with as few scars as possible. In the end, I'm glad that I did not "dumb myself down" or completely change myself to fit in. I was happy to graduate with honors, a 4.2 GPA, and the ambitious drive that I never let go of. I'm still learning to accept myself, imperfections and all, so I hope that people don't focus too much on my flaws, because I know I have many. In the future, I would love to just keep my hardworking attitude, and I hope I never lose my determination. My future dream job would be the position of a host on the E! Network (I would LOOOVE to be the next Guiliana Depandi!!) or any cool show really. I also really want to stay involved in the entertainment industry since I am a film major, after all. I just want to continue modeling, acting, and keeping in touch with the ones that I love. Lastly, I would really, REALLY love to see a spin-off of the series made. It would be awesome to see where the girls are now after high school-- I know college has been taking me for one CRAZY ride!!! There have been so many changes and all kinds of new experiences/drama for me and my friends. (Pick me, pick me!!!)

How do you think your participation changed the course of your high school years?
My participation increased over the years because I was not originally one of the girls. I wish I had known about it from the beginning, but am glad I was a part of it at all! I started off interviewing with Crystle and it just progressed from there. Beth started getting involved as well, and then the three of us got to do it together!

How do you feel about being on national television?
I'm extremely excited and a little nervous. It's a scary thing knowing that millions of people are going to be watching you! I have not seen the episode yet so I am excited to see how it turns out. It was a great experience and hopefully airing it on television will be positive as well. All the girls and people helping out with the project are wonderful so I'm sure all of the feedback will be great.

If you could go back and do it again, would you? Or would you choose not to? Why?
I would most definitely do it again! I had so much fun throughout this whole experience and would not give it up for anything. I wasn't really sure what it was going to be, but heard about it and thought it was a great idea. We all started this just expecting it to be a memento to have for ourselves, but I think it is great that our lives throughout high school are going to be shared with others.

What are some of your thoughts about the things that happened during the four years of high school? What was your best moment? Your worst?
A lot can happen in four years, especially in high school. I remember there being a lot of firsts. I had some extremely difficult times as well as awesome ones. I never understood it when people said to enjoy it while you can, but after graduating I realize that you will never have that experience again. I miss the closeness of our school and all the events they put on such as pep rallies, dances, football games, etc. I didn't realize how good we had it until it was over. High school was when Beth, Crystle and I really became close. It takes a while to develop a bond like that and have it last. School was stressful, relationships were complicated, but it all led to where I am today.

What do you hope high school girls can learn from your story?
I hope that girls will be able to relate to us and see that we went through similar things. It is much easier to go through something knowing that someone else has too. It makes you feel much better and helps you get an idea of how you could deal with it because some topics are just too hard to talk about with adults. I'm not sure exactly what our episode is like or what it concentrates on, but hopefully girls will get inspired or at least get a laugh out of our silliness.

Now that you have some distance, how do you remember your high school experience, was it a good one or was it a struggle?
I always forget the bad and remember the good, which I am not sure is good or not. Looking back I can remember lots of hardships but it was an overall good experience. I remember sophomore year being the hardest year for me. I was enrolled in tough classes, single, and having family issues. You go through so many changes, physical and emotional in the four years of high school, it's not even funny.

Anything else that you'd like people to know about your experience, who you've become, and what you hope to do in the future?
I would say that I have grown up a lot since the end of high school. I think it is safe to say that for Beth and Crystle as well. We were all really surprised by the transition from high school to college and were thankful we had each other to go through it with! I hope to graduate with a BA in Graphic Design and become successful in the field of multimedia. We would always make goofy videos together, but video production and animation is my true passion.

The tripod epitomizes the silliness and pettiness most young women encounter in high school (and later on in life as well). It is quintessential high school. So, the tripod gives us exclusive trips to the farm, sleepover parties, dressing up for school dances, and debating the "he said/she said" exchanges. Beth (who also appears in episode 7 with her step-sister Cate and in episode 5 with her friend Sara) provides a colorful addition to this episode. Whether it's her unique fashion statements or direct introspection, Beth defines transformation. Gina also illustrates the tendency for girls to continually re-invent themselves in high school. Her frank reflections provide an inside perspective on the tripod. The dynamics of this trio are so intriguing to me. I still think it's amazing that their friendship was intact at the end of four high school years.

On a more serious note, Crystle's journey informs the audience of the challenges faced by transatlantic parents and a teenager who is virtually raising herself. I'm curious about how many girls would choose Crystle's path given her autonomy. I hope viewers know that this series does not attempt to judge parent decisions or behaviors. Rather, I hope it provides a springboard for meaningful conversations about parenting strategies. Each parent in High School Confidential displayed incredible courage; it's not easy to reveal your own parenting struggles. We were all in the same boat, trying to do the right thing for our daughters.