When Chloe “Coco” Hong (10) was just four-years-old, she saw a phrase on the wall of her taekwondo studio: “no pain, no gain.” Though she didn’t know it then, those four words would eventually become her approach to her life, from swimming, to school work, to volunteering at the hospital.
“Every day, my dad tells me, ‘No pain, no gain.’ Work hard. If you don’t work hard, you’re never going to do good,” said Hong. “That’s something that’s always stuck with me.”
Now a sophomore and a dedicated member of the swim team, Hong’s drive has only increased with the passage of time. Her coach, Mr. Paul Marceau, has witnessed this growth firsthand since she joined the team.
“She’s definitely gotten more mature, which is not uncommon,” Marceau said. “Still, Coco is a really hard worker. She currently trains with her club, but on the days she does show up, she always has a great attitude and goes hard. She always has a good smile on her face.”
Her determination, however, isn’t just about showing up or pushing herself physically. According to Mr. Marceau, what truly sets Hong apart is the way she handles any challenges thrown her way.
“Because she cares so much, she can get emotional. But then she bounces back every single time without fail,” Marceau said.
That very perseverance is something her teammate Daniella Stabio (11) also admires the most.
“No matter the challenge, Coco always pushes through,” Stabio said. “She’s always cheering for people, always has something to say. She makes you laugh, but she also makes you want to work harder.”
Hong’s admirable mindset and ability to expertly handle these setbacks is not specific to her swimming endeavors, but also her volunteering pursuits. As a volunteer at Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center, she brings forth similar dedication and energy in order to help others. Inspired after seeing hospital volunteers in action, she decided to sign up herself and has enjoyed her time there since.
“Now, I honestly love going every weekend,” Hong said. “There, I spend time with patients, help nurses with small tasks, and even transport patients in wheelchairs. In some cases, I’m just talking and familiarizing myself with all the people in the hospital, but I’ve come to realize how meaningful even those small connections are.”
Her experience volunteering at the hospital has also played a vital role in influencing her future ambitions.
“After I started volunteering, I realized I actually have a passion for this,” she said. “I’m not necessarily set on medicine, but it’s surely on the table. I just want to do something meaningful.”
So, whether she’s gliding through the water, helping a patient, or making her teammates laugh, Hong continues to live by the philosophy she procured as a four year old: no pain, no gain. Evidently, she doesn’t merely push through challenges, but she figures out ways to grow from them. One thing is for certain: wherever Hong goes and with whatever she chooses to pursue, she’s bound to leave a strong impact with her resilience, optimism, and consistent dedication to her passions.
